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ARTICLE · 12 MAY 2013

Swearing at work - can it cost you your job?

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Several cases where employees were dismissed for misconduct involving swearing provide guidance on the law in this area.

AustraliaEmployment and HR
Richard Ottley
Richard Ottley
Laura Sowden
Laura Sowden
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IN BRIEF

What is appropriate and inappropriate conduct in the workplace is constantly evolving. Whether swearing is regarded as offensive is often informed by the context, the type of swearing and the audience. The question of whether swearing at work can cost you your job is a highly relevant one. Several cases where employees were dismissed for conduct involving swearing provide some guidance on the law in this area.

CASE STUDIES

Mr Roderick Macdougall v SCT Pty Limited T/A Sydney City Toyota [2013] FWC 1077
Mr Macdougall brought an action for unfair dismissal when he was summarily dismissed after swearing at a customer. Mr Macdougall was allegedly aggressive to a customer, and said to him "Well I guess that means that you wasted my f...g time."

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