Company denies cancer sufferer’s claims he was sacked after telling his firm he was dying

When he was told he had as little as nine months to live, Chris Mahoney thought his life couldn’t get any worse. Now it has.

When he was told he had as little as nine months to live, Chris Mahoney thought his life couldn’t get any worse.

But the fast food company worker, 33, claims that when he told his company he had terminal bowel cancer, they turned around and sacked him.

Now Mr Mahoney is taking on Craveable Brands - the owner of Red Rooster and Oporto - in a Fair Work Commission battle that he may not survive to see the end of.

“I’m not going to give up until I die or win,” Mr Mahoney told A Current Affair.

“All I know is if I don’t survive, at least I’ll have tried.”

Mr Mahoney was diagnosed with bowel cancer in October last year.

He had surgery but was told the cancer had spread to his lungs and liver, leaving him with between nine and 18 months to live.

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Chris Mahoney is taking his case to the Fair Work Commission. Picture: A Current Affair

Mr Mahoney claims he was forced to resign his permanent position but that there was an agreement that he would continue to work for Craveable Brands on a casual basis.

But after he resigned, he claims he was cut off.

“I texted, I called, And they were my support network for my terminal diagnosis,’ he told A Current Affair.

“It was an entire part of my life that was just ripped away. In the most cruel fashion all I can assume is as soon as I was no longer valuable to them, they tossed me aside.

“I’m already dead. As far as they’re concerned.”

Craveable Brands firmly denied Mr Mahoney’s allegations and said he voluntarily quit.

Mr Mahoney claims he was unfairly dismissed. Picture: A Current Affair

“As a valued and much-loved member of our team at Craveable Brands, Chris Mahoney established a great rapport with his peers and executive in the two years he worked with the business,” the company said in a statement.

“We were devastated when Chris received a terminal diagnosis in October 2021, and immediately sought to provide care and support.

“We worked flexibly with Chris to accommodate his medical needs and supported him through this difficult period.

“On 11 November 2021, Chris verbally advised that he wished to resign from his employment. At that time, we encouraged him to seek further advice and to attend medical appointments to ensure he was not disadvantaged from compensation in any way given his diagnosis.

“Four days later Chris verbally confirmed his resignation. On 29 November 2021, he returned his laptop and security cards. In December 2021, he announced his resignation and said farewell to his colleagues.

“On 28 January this year, Chris confirmed his resignation in writing, effective that same day.

“It was with great sadness and surprise that Craveable Brands later learned that Chris had commenced a general protections dispute with the Fair Work Commission (FWC), where the matter continues to remain unresolved.

“We reject any suggestion that Chris was dismissed or coerced into resigning, and we dispute the other claims submitted to the FWC.

“We know this is a tough time for Chris and for his family. That is why, in recent months, we have made a number of offers of settlement to resolve this dispute.

“We remain open to hearing from Chris and resolving this matter in a timely fashion.”

Originally published as Company denies cancer sufferer’s claims he was sacked after telling his firm he was dying