German teacher ‘dismissed because of race’

A GERMAN kindergarten teacher is suing for unfair dismissal from a Cairns daycare, saying complaints she was “harsh” and “mean” were unfounded and discriminatory of her race.

Anna Helene Koetz-Trowse has lodged action in the Federal Circuit Court of Australia against Redlynch Catholic Early Learning Centre director Sharon Grant and Diocese of Cairns HR manager Anita Andacic after the woman was sacked in November.

In the unfair dismissal application, Ms Koetz-Trowse argues it was unlawful to terminate her employment after alleged complaints her language was “harsh” and she appeared “unenthusiastic and uninterested”.

Ms Koetz-Trowse claims she made a complaint against Ms Grant, which led to the adverse action against her, including being placed on a “performance improvement plan” before being fired.

The woman, who has a PhD in biology, alleges she was harassed by her boss in front of parents after she removed a tree snake from a bathroom at school.

She claims she was treated differently to another teacher who had complaints made against her.

Ms Koetz-Trowse alleges it was never explained what she said that sounded “harsh” but was only told a child had called her “mean”.

She said she was also told she was “unenthusiastic during group time, looking glum and disinterested” and made “inappropriate eye contact”.

Ms Koetz-Trowse claims she was fired because of her race.

The respondents have not yet lodged a response to the application.