Yajuvendrasinh Parmar appeal against Queensland Health not to be heard

A scientist who applied for a job at a major Sunshine Coast hospital has accused Queensland Health of racism and corruption after he was an unsuccessful applicant.

Sunshine Coast University Hospital (SCUH).Exterior of the building.

A Sunshine Coast scientist has accused Queensland Health of corrupt conduct and racism after he unsuccessfully applied for a job based at the Sunshine Coast University Hospital in 2022.

Yajuvendrasinh Parmar represented himself in the Queensland Industrial Commission in May, 2023, where he made a bid to appeal a decision from the Queensland Ethical Standards Unit (ESU) over claims he was discriminated against during a Queensland Health recruitment process and that the successful candidate was hired due to corrupt conduct.

Publicly available documents state Mr Parmar, who works as a scientist at the Caboolture Hospital, applied and was short-listed for a Medical Laboratory Scientist (Multiskilled) position at the Sunshine Coast University Hospital in May 2022. The position was a HP3 classification.

On July 12, Mr Parmar was told via email that he had not been hired, to which he replied and acknowledged that same day, the documents state.

Exterior pictures of the Caboolture Hospital for a story on lack of standards at the Hospital Picture Peter Wallis

They state he wrote back again on February 24, 2023, and alleged he was rejected because of his skin colour.

This was the first time Mr Parmar had complained about the recruitment process, the documents state.

He was referred to Pathology Queensland’s Human Resources department to seek a review; but then went to the Ethical Standards Unit with allegations of age and racial discrimination in the recruitment process, the documents state.

The ESU told Mr Parmar on March 10 his claims did not equate to corrupt conduct and that the recruitment process showed no evidence of discrimination, the documents state. He was then told the issue did not amount to a public interest disclosure.

He argued his view of corrupt conduct according to the Crime and Corruption Act, the documents state, but the ESU stood firm in its decision.

Mr Parmar then applied to appeal it on March 20, 2023.

The documents state Mr Parmar argued the recruitment process was “unfair” and an “unskilled person” was hired over a “suitable candidate”.

He then argued Queensland Health had breached their grievance policy for not providing an outcome to his allegations within the 14-day period after the complaint in February.

Tour of the Sunshine Coast University Hospital (SCUH).Exterior of the building.

Queensland Health argued the appeal should not be heard because the outcome to Mr Parmar’s claims had applied for the appeal prior to the outcome of his claims being shared. This process was paused during the court proceedings.

They maintained the recruitment process was “fair and reasonable”.

Mr Parmar said his appeal was not related to the recruitment process, and that it was a “simple request” for the Commissioner to ask the ESU to investigate the allegations and ensure a fair investigation.

He then accused Queensland Health of failing to mention the job selection criteria to the Commissioner, and that the successful applicant never had experience as “a multiskilled scientist”.

He claimed the selection process was not based on merit but “personal advantage or to provide advantages to others” by not selecting the best suited candidate.

Industrial Commissioner Jacqueline Power said the matter could not be appealed under the Public Sector Act.

“The ESU decision is one that relates to the selection of the successful candidate in this matter and is thus a non-appealable decision,” she said.

Commissioner Power then ordered the appeal not be heard.

A Queensland Health spokeswoman said the organisation was committed to building a skilled and diverse multicultural workforce.

“(Queensland Health) has strong policies in place to ensure all staff, regardless of race or gender, feel safe and respected,” she said.

She confirmed Mr Parmar still works for Queensland Health, but could not comment further due to privacy reasons.

The Sunshine Coast Daily has reached out to Mr Parmar for comment.