Co-op worker who made Michael Jackson-style ‘hee hee’ noises at colleague was unfairly sacked, tribunal finds
Compensation for worker sacked for allegedly making ‘Michael Jackson-style noises’
- A warehouse worker, Lucasz Zawadzki, was unfairly dismissed from the Co-Operative Group after a colleague accused him of impersonating Michael Jackson and making racist noises.
- An employment tribunal in Manchester found Mr Zawadzki was unfairly dismissed and ordered the Co-Operative Group to pay him over £10,000 in compensation.
- Mr Zawadzki admitted making 'embarrassing and juvenile' noises at work, including 'grunting and moaning', but denied impersonating Michael Jackson or making racist monkey noises.
- The tribunal heard that the colleague alleged Mr Zawadzki made high-pitched 'hee hee' sounds mimicking the pop star and racist monkey noises.
- Employment Judge Carol Porter ruled there was no satisfactory evidence that Mr Zawadzki's admitted conduct was offensive to the colleague or that he was aware of a zero-tolerance policy for such behaviour.