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ARTICLE · 22 JULY 2015

When can employees behave badly and get away with it?

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When they organise functions, employers must also consider how they are going to manage the behaviour of their staff.

AustraliaEmployment and HR
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IN BRIEF

One of the challenges for any employer is to manage workforce events such that the employees get to relax and have a good time – without offending, upsetting or harassing their colleagues.

One of the key culprits in this process is the obligatory office Christmas party. What happens when staff behave badly on those nights?

THE FACTS

In a recent decision of the Fair Work Commission, which may well be appealed given its outcome, the Commissioner reviewed the termination of a manager who had abused both his bosses and junior employees and behaved boorishly with females on the night of the Christmas party.

In total there were eight examples of bad behaviour on his part including saying to a boss:

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