A long-serving University of Sydney academic with severe respiratory and autoimmune conditions is facing the sack after the institution refused to let him continue teaching online, despite medical advice urging them to do so.
The university has rebuffed attempts by Tiliopoulos and his union to accommodate for his disability by allowing him to continue remote teaching or discuss an altered role, insisting face-to-face teaching was an “inherent requirement” of his employment. Tiliopoulos filed a formal flexible working arrangement in February to continue teaching remotely as he had done for the previous three years. He provided supporting documentation from his specialist, who stated his life would be at risk if he had to work in person in crowded lecture and tutorial settings.The university then ordered that he undergo a medical assessment by an independent doctor nominated by the institution.
“It is now clear on the medical advice that it is not going to be possible to safely return you to the workplace performing all the required duties of your substantive position.” Sydney University said it cannot comment on individual matters due to its strict privacy requirements.