A FUNERAL director employee of nearly five decades, who lost his job for telling a colleague to “get the f***ing car out” before briefly balling his fist as if to strike him, was fairly dismissed from his role, a Jersey tribunal has ruled after viewing CCTV footage of the confrontation.
Head of Fleet John Green, who had worked for Pitcher & Le Quesne Funeral Directors for almost 45 years without any previous complaints against him, brought a claim for unfair dismissal after being sacked for gross misconduct following the January 2025 incident outside the company’s premises.
The tribunal heard that Mr Green repeatedly swore at his colleague, telling him to “get the f***ng car out”, before drawing his hand “back to his side into a fist”, prompting the colleague to step backwards.
Although the gesture lasted only a second and no blow was struck, the Deputy Chairman found the behaviour amounted to “abusive language and threatening behaviour” and could have brought the company “into serious disrepute”.
In dismissing the claim, the tribunal quoted the employer’s conclusion that the conduct was “inexcusable” and “represents a blatant violation of company policy”, adding that it had “irreparably damaged the trust and confidence necessary for continued employment”.
Mr Green argued that the dismissal was really linked to a previous tribunal claim he had brought against the company, and pointed to his long, previously unblemished service.
But the tribunal was unconvinced, finding that the CCTV footage was clear and that the disciplinary process had been fair.
“A reasonable employer could have reached the same decision,” the judgment concluded, ruling that the dismissal fell “within the range of reasonable responses”.
