Is it fair to terminate a man because of your toilet habit?
By mayshella
@mayshella (292)
Philippines
January 28, 2009 5:55am CST
My Hubby Twit this news about a Filipino worker who was terminated for not going to the toilet the Australian way...WHAT THE F**K!!
The said Filipino was working with Townsville Engineering Industries (TEI) since April 2008 and never had a problem before until the incident happened. According to the news, the said worker went to the rest room with a bottle of water when his foreman saw him and confront him that he can't bring the water inside the comfort room. Mr. Bernabe asks "Why?" then the foreman told him that it's not good. Mr. Bernabe informed his foreman that it's his personal hygiene and haven't break any law. The foreman told him that if his still going to do it he'll report Mr. Bernabe to their Manager.
The next morning when Mr. Bernabe came for work, he was told that the manager wanted to talk with him. The manager then asks him what happened and Mr. Bernabe did explained his side. The manager told him that if he didn't follow the Australian way then he'll be immediately terminated. What the F**K rule is this? Just by using water instead of toilet paper you'll be terminated? Do you think it's right to invade our personal rights and cultural beliefs? Don't you think employers should mind how their business doing rather than minding what their employee do in the loo?
1 person likes this
5 responses
@savypat (20216)
• United States
28 Jan 09
Do you think this might be a case of not knowing all the facts. I do know that water is a big problem in Australia and not in the Philippines. And I do know that when tempers rise people turn off their minds in favor of their egos. Bringing something drinkable into the rest room here is considered bad taste, but there where water is short it may be a law.
@mayshella (292)
• Philippines
28 Jan 09
Here's the link to the article http://www.townsvillebulletin.com.au/article/2009/01/24/34915_hpnews.html what kind of law? Don't clean your a*s with water instead use a tissue? I don't think it's a law there because some Australian didn't like the decision of the company. You can even browse Brian Gorell's blog who is also an Australian, he is not favor as well of terminating the man just because of not following the Australian Way as the manager call it. The man brought water in the rest room not to drink it but use it to clean his self.
@nilzerous1 (2434)
• India
28 Jan 09
This is something very shocking. I do not know exactly how to react to a discussion like that. I guess there must be some other issues with the worker. Anyway, this is the only reason for sacking a him, then this must be very very shocking. No way.
@mayshella (292)
• Philippines
28 Jan 09
Yeah, It is very shocking! Some Australian was not in favor of the companies action. Australian Manufacturing Worker's Union state organizer Rick Finch believe that it's an invasion of a person's rights and cultural beliefs and that no boss can interfere and have the control to get involved in the toiletry and control the employees privacy.
@mimpi1911 (25464)
• India
28 Jan 09
I think this absolutely inane and downplay the company's credibility! How can one do that! I feel, he can sue the company for termination not abiding by the rules. I am sure there wouldn't be ant direct clause validating this! The company has absolutely no business to interfere in personal rights and beliefs unless that's harming others.
@mayshella (292)
• Philippines
28 Jan 09
Yeah! This is absolutely absurd and non-sense reason to terminate a man. Well, they have this what they called "Australian Way". What if they visit in a different state or country who doesn't have toilet papers and just uses water, will they left their butt uncleaned or use water instead? Will they still follow the Australian way in cleaning their poo or follow other cultures way if their not on their country? Stupid beliefs!
@laydee (12798)
• Philippines
28 Jan 09
I don't think the company nor the foreman has any business whatsoever on what a person or employee does in the toilet. It's something personal and doesn't hinder him from performing his duties as an employee to his employer and company.
Was this in the news? or was it just a rumor? I don't think something like that is a ground for termination. Unless it caused a commotion that lead to a fight or something of that sort.
Anyhow, the news or the story of being terminated from the job because of that incident is absolutely absurd.
Happy Mylotting!
@mayshella (292)
• Philippines
28 Jan 09
You are right, it's something personal and has nothing to do with his job. No, this isn't a rumor, this is true. It was featured in townsvillebulletin.com.au. Here's the link. http://www.townsvillebulletin.com.au/article/2009/01/24/34915_hpnews.html
@natsvelascotan (665)
• Philippines
28 Jan 09
Personally, I don't think it is fair .. however, it would be a challenge defending this particularly in another country. Hope things eventually get settled though. Good Luck
