Man fired for drinking ten beers before telling boss to 'f*** off' wins unfair dismissal case

He told another female colleague "I thought you were a little b***** but you know you’re okay and I like you".

Man fired for drinking ten beers before telling boss to 'f*** off' wins unfair dismissal case

We're all, no doubt, familiar with the embarrassment that can follow the office Christmas party.

But for one Australian worker, he came back in January to find he no longer had a job.

The Sydney Morning Herald carries the story of a man who, after drinking ten beers and a vodka, told a company director to "f*** off" and forcibly kissed another colleague.

[comment] Stock photo.[/comment]

The Fair Work Commission in Australia, however, found that the company could not fully insist on workplace standards of behaviour when they were supplying unlimited free alcohol, and decided he had been unfairly dismissed.

The team leader at a construction company is also reported to have asked a colleague "who the f*** are you? What do you even do here?" and told another female colleague "I thought you were a little bitch but you know you’re okay and I like you".

Documents note one of his female co-workers said he approached her while waiting for a taxi, and told her "my mission tonight is to find out what colour your knickers you have on."

However, she said she was not offended, and knew he was very intoxicated.

However, Vice President of the FWC, Adam Hatcher, decided that the dismissal was too harsh, citing his good record and the isolated nature of this incident.

"It is contradictory and self-defeating for an employer to require compliance with its usual standards of behaviour at a function but at the same time to allow the unlimited service of free alcohol at the function," he wrote in his conclusion.

"If alcohol is supplied in such a manner, it becomes entirely predictable that some individuals will consume an excessive amount and behave inappropriately."

The decision sets an interesting precedent in Australian labour relations - but we urge our readers to bear in mind it doesn't change anything for employees here.

Discretion at the office party is still a very good idea.

— Originally reported by the Sydney Morning Herald.

more courts articles

Man appears in court charged with false imprisonment of woman in van Man appears in court charged with false imprisonment of woman in van
Man in court over alleged false imprisonment of woman Man in court over alleged false imprisonment of woman
Coronation Street actor William Roache (91) given three months to settle tax debt Coronation Street actor William Roache (91) given three months to settle tax debt

More in this section

Smartwatch with health app. Glowing neon icon on brick wall background Health watch: How much health data is healthy? 
Cork's wild salmon warrior Sally Ferns Barnes looks to the future Cork's wild salmon warrior Sally Ferns Barnes looks to the future
(C)2024 Disney. Disneyland Paris – Disneyland Hotel Re-Opening Watch: Iconic Disneyland Paris hotel re-opens after two year renovation
ieParenting Logo
Writers ieParenting

Our team of experts are on hand to offer advice and answer your questions here

Your digital cookbook

ieStyle Live 2021 Logo
ieStyle Live 2021 Logo

IE Logo
Outdoor Trails

Discover the great outdoors on Ireland's best walking trails

IE Logo
Outdoor Trails

Lifestyle
Newsletter

The best food, health, entertainment and lifestyle content from the Irish Examiner, direct to your inbox.

Sign up
Cookie Policy Privacy Policy Brand Safety FAQ Help Contact Us Terms and Conditions

© Examiner Echo Group Limited