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What the F^%&? Do you swear at work?
If you do, watch out! Melbourne’s Donut King manager, Jim Martinoski, was recently fined $12,000 for using the “F” word and bullying an employee, Jennifer Claus.
The court heard that Jim Martinoski, at a staff meeting, threatened to cut Jennifer’s hours of work down to 15 per week if she did not sign a workplace agreement. Mr Martinoski also said: "As for you asking for your f---ing payslips, we're not going anywhere, so you don't have to keep f---ing asking for them."
Federal Magistrate Philip Burchardt, said Mr Martinoski's behaviour was an incredibly distasteful form of misconduct in the workplace, and fined the franchisee $12,000 for breaching the Workplace Relations Act.
Australia’s Workplace Ombudsman’s executive director, Michael Campbell, has warned that swearing at employees will not be tolerated.
"Employers need to mind their Ps and Qs when dealing with staff," he said.
Employers First’s Garry Brack, said that swearing was a fact of life. Swearing happens in the workplace and banning it was unrealistic.
“It would be nice to have a lovely atmosphere but sometimes that breaks down. Let's not have more political correctness heaped on to stuff we've already got."
Michael Campbell said he hoped the $12,000 fine would help with workplace bullying and prevent other employers from behaving in the same manner.
By Joanne Grey
© Joanne Grey – All rights reserved.References: http://www.news.com.au/business/story/0,27753,24148990-5012426,00.html & http://www.smartcompany.com.au/Free-Articles/The-Briefing/20080808-Boss-fined-for-threatening-and-swearing-at-staff-member.html?source=RSS
I'm not so sure a I agree. We
Submitted by Craig Leith on Mon, 03/11/2008 - 10:10am.I'm not so sure a I agree.
We could just say that "this is a blokes' workplace and if people don't like it they can go somewhere else" or "We only employ people of a specific ethnic group or religion" Where does fitting-in end and discrimination begin?
The crucial thing in what you are saying is "if everyone else does" What if I swear simply to fit in, but it goes against my personal values?
I do however agree that certain workplaces are more prone to specific behaviour. I just think it needs to be monitored. Just because we have always behaved a certain way does not mean we have license to continue that same way.
Other thoughts?
I don't think that it is a
Submitted by Anonymous on Wed, 10/09/2008 - 11:12pm.I don't think that it is a problem to swear at work if everyone else does. Some jobs are just like that and if new people don't like it - they need to fit in or just deal with it.