An executive has suddenly exited a bank after they allegedly acted out a mock ‘act of terrorism’ with a junior colleague in a photo booth at their office Christmas party – in the first known major HR incident to rock the corporate world this festive season.Â
Prominent business Instagram page The Aussie Corporate on Tuesday shared an account from an unnamed member of staff at Ubank, a digital offshoot of the National Australia Bank, with details of the alleged incident.
‘At the Christmas function held at The Ivy, a Merivale Photo Booth captured a highly disturbing image involving an executive and a junior colleague’ involving a mock terrorist or hostage situation,’ the employee said.Â
The junior colleague, they claimed, wore a towel like a ‘headdress’ in what they believed was ‘an attempt to depict a terrorist.’
‘The executive was photographed kneeling upright, hands placed behind their back, suggesting they were a hostage or captive.Â
‘The junior colleague stood over the executive, using both hands to form gun signs directed at the executive.
‘Following the release of this image the executive involved has not been seen in the workplace.’
An anonymous employee alleged staff were uncomfortable when they saw the mock scene
The Ubank Christmas party was understood to have been held at The Ivy in Sydney’s CBD
Ubank (pictured) is a digital offshoot of the National Australia Bank
Ubank CEO Kanishka Raja (pictured) confirmed the executive had left the company
Another person added: ‘I was there (employee)… Lots of uncomfortable people at the party when they saw a team member in a head (towel) and gown.’
‘A few Jewish colleagues felt uncomfortable and left when they saw the mock terrorist act. No messaging from leadership yet.’Â
In a statement to the Daily Mail, Ubank chief executive Kanishka Raja confirmed ‘there was an executive departure yesterday’.
‘Senior leaders are expected to model appropriate behaviour consistent with our policies,’ he said.
‘We take matters relating to our Code of Conduct extremely seriously, we have investigated thoroughly and acted swiftly.’
On Monday, HR Legal lawyer Dan Feldman told the Daily Mail the holiday season is a busy time for employment lawyers.
‘During December we often receive calls from clients that start with “You wouldn’t believe what happened last night at our end-of-year function”,’ he said.
Mr Feldman said the most common cases involve sexual harassment, sometimes crossing the line into sexual assault, bullying and violence.
‘In almost every case, too much alcohol or taking illicit drugs is involved,’ he said.
‘In many cases there have been warning signs throughout the year, and the inclusion of alcohol or drugs into the mix has seen these bad behaviours exacerbated.’
He warned employers still owe a duty of care at off-site, after-hours work-sponsored functions and that liability can extend to after-parties if managers continue to pay for drinks.
Have you seen the picture in question? Email us: tips@dailymail.com.auÂ
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Christmas party furore as ‘disturbing image’ at Ubank celebration rattles workers – and an executive suddenly exits