The dismissal of a senior Australian banking executive over an alleged inappropriate stunt at a company Christmas party has ignited a fierce national debate, with critics accusing the institution of bowing to 'woke' workplace politics.
The Incident That Cost an Executive His Job
Robert Webb, the 54-year-old Chief Information Officer of Ubank, was terminated on Monday following an investigation into an incident at the digital bank's end-of-year function. The event was held at The Ivy venue in Sydney's central business district. Ubank is a digital subsidiary of the National Australia Bank.
The controversy centres on a photo from a Merivale Photo Booth, which was anonymously reported to the prominent business Instagram page, The Aussie Corporate. According to the source, the image depicted a "highly disturbing" mock terrorist or hostage situation.
It is alleged that Mr Webb knelt upright with his hands behind his back, while a junior colleague, who had draped a towel in the style of a headdress, pointed their hands shaped like a gun towards the executive. The employee who reported the incident believed the junior staff member's attire was "an attempt to depict a terrorist".
A Nation Divided: Backlash and Defence
The bank's chief executive, Kanishka Raja, confirmed to the Daily Mail that the bank acted "swiftly" in its investigation, leading to Mr Webb's departure. He stated that senior leaders are expected to model appropriate behaviour and that the bank's Code of Conduct is taken extremely seriously.
However, the decision has sharply divided public opinion. In a Daily Mail poll, nearly two-thirds of respondents believed firing the executive was the wrong move. Many labelled it a "total overreaction" to a light-hearted joke, arguing that the festive season should allow for fun and that careers should not be destroyed over a practical joke.
Conversely, others, including Australian TV presenter Prue MacSween, defended the bank's action. She argued that terrorism is a "no-go zone" for pranks and that the incident demonstrated a serious error in judgement, particularly for a senior leader in a brand-sensitive industry like banking.
A Timely Warning for the Festive Season
This case serves as a stark reminder for workplaces across Australia and the UK as they approach their own often boozy end-of-year celebrations. Employers retain a duty of care at work-sponsored functions, and liability can extend to after-parties.
The ordeal mirrors other recent high-profile dismissals. Just last month, the ACT Supreme Court upheld Ernst & Young's decision to dismiss senior partner Leonard Nicita over comments he made to a female colleague at a Miami Vice-themed Christmas party in 2022. Nicita, who was on a $1.3m salary, lost a breach of contract case after being accused of making inappropriate remarks.
Mr Webb, a high-flying executive with experience across three continents including the UAE and Asia, appears to have removed his Ubank role from his LinkedIn profile following the scandal. Daily Mail has contacted both Mr Webb and Ubank for further comment.
