The WRC found that a worker was not unfairly dismissed after a company reasonably treated his repeated contact with a colleague and the colleague’s partner as harassment and serious misconduct. The decision was dated 1 July 2025.
The worker denied inappropriate conduct, describing his messages as friendly and saying his contact with the colleague’s partner was about commissioning artwork. The company said its investigation found persistent contact through social media and phone calls, including after the recipients blocked him.
The adjudication officer found that the company followed a fair process, including an investigation, two disciplinary hearings and an appeal. The officer accepted that the company could regard the continued contact and message to the colleague’s partner as serious misconduct warranting dismissal, even if the worker did not intend harm. The complaint was found not well founded.