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Despite a "sub-optimal" workplace that condoned conversational swearing, an employee should have been aware that referring to female staff as "those b-tches" was grossly inappropriate, the Fair Work Commission has ruled.

The workplace factors did not excuse the conduct of the employee, who was "senior in position, service and age", said Commissioner Christopher Platt.

Pringles Ag-Plus, trading as Emmetts, summarily dismissed the leading hand in October last year. It alleged he called female administrative staff "those bitches"; treated his "considerably younger" subordinates poorly; and intimidated an apprentice who complained about his behaviour...