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Tribunal WatchEmployment lawDisciplineDiscipline and grievancesDismissal

Bank worker who licked – then punched – colleague at party was fairly dismissed

by Stephen Simpson 16 Nov 2015
by Stephen Simpson 16 Nov 2015 Misconduct at a work event can result in disciplinary sanctions and/or dismissal. Photo: Pressmaster/Shutterstock
Misconduct at a work event can result in disciplinary sanctions and/or dismissal. Photo: Pressmaster/Shutterstock

The Employment Appeal Tribunal (EAT) has held that a bank worker who licked the face of a colleague and punched him at a work party was fairly dismissed. Stephen Simpson rounds up recent employment decisions.

Key differences justified different sanctions for misconduct at work event
In MBNA v Jones, the EAT found a dismissal was fair despite another employee involved in the misconduct receiving a more lenient sanction.

Work party misconduct

Statement to employees in advance of a Christmas party or similar work-related event

Fair dismissal of employee who punched colleague after Christmas party

Dismissal for involvement in Christmas party “wrestling match” was fair

Podcast: Disciplinary issues arising over the Christmas period

At bank MBNA’s 20th anniversary celebration, Mr Jones had an argument with his colleague, Mr Battersby. Both had been drinking. Battersby kneed Jones in the leg, and Jones responded by licking Battersby’s face.

Later, Battersby noticed that Jones had his arm around Battersby’s sister, and kneed Jones again. Jones then punched him. Following the party, Battersby sent Jones text messages, including threats to “rip his fucking head off”.

MBNA took disciplinary action against both of them: Jones was dismissed for gross misconduct while Battersby received a final written warning.

The employer decided that Battersby’s actions at the work party did not justify dismissal because his texts had been sent after the work event and they were a direct response to being punched.

The employment tribunal held that the penalty for both should have been dismissal and it was unfair to treat Jones differently.

However, the EAT overturned the tribunal decision. The EAT found that there were differences in the employees’ circumstances that justified alternative sanctions.

The EAT said that, once it was established that it was reasonable to dismiss the claimant, leniency to another employee was “neither here nor there”.

Read more details of the case and its implications for employers…

Other tribunal decisions in the headlines

NHS mental health trust admits whistleblower acted in good faith
Britain’s largest mental health trust has admitted that the whistleblower who spoke out about bullying and harassment of staff acted in good faith and in the public interest, reports the Independent.

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A part-time teacher dismissed after a school tried to force her to work five days a week has won her two-year battle, according to the Harwich and Manningtree Standard.

Ucatt in umbrella company tribunal victory
Construction union Ucatt says it has won a significant victory against an umbrella company for unlawful deductions from wages.

Stephen Simpson

Stephen Simpson is Principal HR Strategy and Practice Editor at Brightmine. His areas of responsibility include the policies and documents and law reports. After obtaining a law degree and training to be a solicitor, he moved into publishing, initially with Butterworths. He joined Brightmine in its early days in 2001.

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