Is swearing or abusive language a dismissible offence?

A recent case where an employee was sacked for swearing in the workplace questions how foul or abusive language should be dealt with by employers.

Bristol train driver, Patrick Spackman was sacked for swearing at one of his colleagues. His managers considered this as gross misconduct.

Bryani Cuthbertson, HR Associate at Workplace Law Group Ltd says that the use of abusive or foul language in the workplace should not fall under gross misconduct but should be dealt with informally. Employer... (108 more words)

Member login

If you are a member of the Workplace Law
Network, please enter your details below

My email address
My password
Keep me logged in:
	I've forgotten my password

Protecting your data

We take data protection very seriously. We will never share your data with third parties. We process data in accordance with: the Data Protection Act 1998; the 11th edition of the British Code of Advertising, Sales Promotion and Marketing Practice; and the DMA Direct Marketing Code of Practice.