TERMINATED: Paramedic and Ballarat Rush basketballer Andrea McMahon has been sacked by Ambulance Victoria.
PARAMEDIC and talented basketballer Andrea McMahon has been sacked for taking too much unpaid sick leave to play sport, the ambulance employees union has claimed.
Ambulance Victoria terminated Ms McMahon's paramedic career on Tuesday after she took four shifts off without pay to play for Ballarat Rush.
Ms McMahon did not wish to comment yesterday but is appealing the decision.
Ambulance Employees Australia secretary Steve McGhie said Ms McMahon had previously had a local arrangement with her rostering but it changed when a centralised Melbourne-based rostering system took over.
He said she had made an innocent mistake and her punishment was too harsh.
"She was open and honest with them. She thought she was doing the right thing," Mr McGhie said.
He said an Ambulance Victoria investigation over three months found Ms McMahon guilty of serious misconduct.
However, he said other actions could have been taken including a disciplinary warning or supervision.
"It's unfortunate she was not given an opportunity to rectify the issues and redeem herself and get on with her career."
Ambulance Victoria yesterday confirmed Ms McMahon's termination but did not wish to comment further for privacy reasons.