Market research call centre worker labels caller a psychopath ‘like Ivan Milat’

A market researcher who was sacked because she compared a member of the public to Australia’s most prolific serial killer has told a hearing “other interviewers have said much worse”.

The market research call centre worker compared the member of the public to Ivan Milat. Picture: Supplied.

A market research call centre worker who was sacked because she told a member of the public that he was a psychopath, comparing him to the nation’s most prolific serial killer has failed to get her job back.

Chrissie Purdy was sacked from her job with The Social Research Centre Pty Ltd (SRC) on August 7 last year, a week after she confronted a person on the phone.

“Ivan Milat? You know he was diagnosed as a psychopath and I think you are too”, she said in the call that was recorded, and then she hung up on them, the Fair Work Commission heard.

Ms Purdy submitted that “other interviewers have said much worse and had only received an informal warning,” but Andrew Maher, a lawyer for the SRC, stated it was unlikely Ms Purdy knew the results of her colleagues disciplinary processes because they are

confidential.

In his decision handed down on July 24, Fair Work Commission Commissioner Mark Perica threw out Ms Purdy’s claim, stating it was lodged 295 days late.

Ms Purdy told the Fair Work Commission that the member of the public was extremely rude to her because he thought she was “a scammer”.

“You sound like an obnoxious teenager who is bored and using us for entertainment,” she told him.

“You just want to screw me around,” she said on the call.

Ivan Milat.

He told her “don’t you hang up on me” and subjected her to a stream of abuse, she claimed.

“You are going to give me rubbish answers aren’t you,” she said.

“We don’t have to do the survey – obviously I don’t want to do it with you”

“If you are that stupid that you’re going to tell people those (personal) details ….

(laughs) – Seriously!”

Ms Purdy argued that it was unfair for her to be sacked because her comments were taken out of the context of the extreme abuse she suffered.

She claimed the FWC did not give enough weight to her explanation of her conduct.

“You’re a joker aren’t you. You’re a joker, aren’t you,” she told them.

“Why would I give you my surname? Are you going to stalk me, are you?”

“I’ve been doing this for 15 years and I’m going to go now. Bye” (hangs up).

SRC argued Ms Purdy’s behaviour in the July 29, 2024, phone call amounted to serious misconduct against the written policies of SRC.

SRC argued there was a valid reason for the dismissal, and it amounted to serious misconduct and that the process of the dismissal was fair.

Mr Perica concluded Ms Purdy’s case should not proceed to a full hearing, where he could determine the merits of the case.

“The merits turn on contested facts, which require a full hearing. It is not appropriate for the Commission to resolve contested facts in an extension of time application. In the absence of a full hearing, it is not possible to make any firm assessment of the merits,” Mr Perica stated.

The SRC is based in Melbourne’s CBD and is owned by the Australian National University and has done work for the federal government since 2001.

Originally published as Market research call centre worker labels caller a psychopath ‘like Ivan Milat’