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The word "unsafe" is being appropriated in workplaces, a member of the Fair Work Commission has noted in finding an HR manager was unfairly sacked.

It's a comment that resonates with conflict specialist Zandy Fell, who says the concept of safety is increasingly being used by people at work to shut down conversations that are not actually "unsafe", but rather uncomfortable.

The case involved Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute's general manager of HR and payroll, who was summarily dismissed for serious misconduct earlier this year.

Specifically, her employer alleged an investigation had found the HR GM was "in tears and in a highly emotional state on a regular basis", causing staff to feel they were "walking on eggshells" around her, and it accused her of creating a "serious risk to the health and safety of others"...