'Toxic, lawless' | F-word usage 'common in the North' - tribunal finds company unfairly dismissed worker who swore at colleague

A tribunal has ruled that a wholesaler unfairly dismissed an employee who swore at a colleague, after it found that swearing and ‘banter’ was commonplace in the “dysfunctional” and “toxic” office.

Mr R Ogden, who worked as a driver and trainer for Booker Ltd in Royton, Oldham, brought an unfair dismissal claim, asserting that he was sacked based on an isolated outburst that didn’t reflect his usual conduct.

An employment judge upheld Ogden’s claim, finding that the company failed to follow a fair procedure and ignored the broader office culture when making its decision.

Tribunal hears details of ‘toxic’, ‘lawless’ work environment

Mr Ogden, who had been with Booker since 2016, was dismissed in October 2023 for gross misconduct after an incident in July, where he was accused of making derogatory comments to a female colleague.