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Despite signs of a "permissive attitude" towards name-calling at work, an employer was entitled to reprimand an employee for racial stereotyping a colleague, a commission has found.

"Nicknames used in private are rarely compliments," Queensland Industrial Relations Commissioner John Dwyer said, adding that even if the employee's conduct wasn't malicious, it was disrespectful.

Following a workplace investigation and show-cause process throughout 2024, the Department of Transport and Main Roads substantiated an allegation that the project costing officer breached its code of conduct by failing to treat co-workers with courtesy and respect.

It found that between March and December 2023, she had referred to a German co-worker as 'Helga', despite that not being her name, and said "nein nein"...