Log in or become a subscriber

An employer's failure to warn a worker that his repeated swearing and verbal abuse put his job at risk rendered his sacking unfair, the Fair Work Commission has found in awarding him $33k in compensation.

In June last year, AMSPEC Australia gave the wharf operator a show-cause letter that raised serious concerns about his conduct.

The letter alleged the employee had: said the employer could "go f-ck themselves" when Services Australia instructed it to deduct child support payments from his salary; displayed confrontational behaviour towards a manager when he stuck up his middle finger and again said the employer could "go f-ck themselves"; and acted in an "aggressive manner" towards other staff...