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An employee was left feeling isolated and depressed after her numerous emails to an HR leader were ignored, a commission has ruled in rejecting an employer's reasonable action defence.

The Western Sydney Local Health District midwife claimed workers' compensation for a psychological injury, alleging she felt unsupported and "stonewalled" while on leave in 2021 and 2022.

The employer denied liability, arguing any injury was caused by reasonable action with respect to discipline, dismissal or the provision of employment benefits.

The employee told the NSW Personal Injury Commission that in late 2021, she was told she couldn't work as she hadn't been vaccinated against COVID-19; she subsequently contacted one of the employer's HR leaders to disclose that she had recently been diagnosed with coeliac disease and had a "history of anaphylaxis allergy"...