In a tale that seems more befitting of a high school locker room than a professional workplace, a scandalous prank has led to the termination of three Australia Post employees. The incident, which involved an X-rated gag gift, has raised serious questions about workplace culture and the boundaries of humour among colleagues.
The Fair Work Commission has been the stage for the unfolding drama after Rebecca Possingham, a postie with over seven years of experience, and her colleagues Sue Tregeagle and Alisha Jury, were dismissed from their positions at the Modbury North Delivery Centre in Adelaide. The trio was accused of orchestrating the delivery of adult-themed lollies from a sex shop to a young coworker, an act that was intended as a practical joke but ended in a career debacle.
The prank centred around a packet of lollies ordered from a store named ‘Sexyland,’ known for its adult merchandise. The lollies, emblazoned with explicit phrases such as ‘Sexy A*s,’ ‘Let’s F**k,’ and ‘Lick Me,’ were sent to a fellow postie in her early 20s, who was reportedly uncomfortable with delivering to the sex shop in question. Upon receiving the package at work, the young employee was understandably distressed and sought support from her mother, who also worked at the delivery centre.
The situation escalated when Ms Possingham, despite being instructed to maintain confidentiality during the investigation, sent text messages to the recipient’s mother, labelling herself as the ‘whistleblower’ and accusing the mother of betrayal. This breach of protocol, along with the initial misconduct, led to the dismissal of the three employees.
Ms Possingham’s attempt to challenge her termination through an unfair dismissal claim was unsuccessful. The Fair Work Commission’s Deputy President, Peter Anderson, found her to be in violation of Australia Post’s discrimination and harassment policies. He noted that Ms Possingham’s actions constituted ‘serious and wilful misconduct’ and criticised her for not only participating in the plan but also for her subsequent attempts to deflect responsibility and deny involvement.
The commission’s decision highlighted the importance of experienced employees setting an example and recognising the inappropriateness of such pranks, especially when they carry a sexual connotation. Mr Anderson pointed out that Ms Possingham should have reconsidered the joke when Ms Jury expressed doubts about its propriety.
Have you ever experienced a workplace prank that crossed the line? How do you think fun and professionalism can coexist in the workplace? We’d love to hear your thoughts and experiences in the comments below.
The world has lost its sense of humour. A harmless prank being a sackable offence. What is Australia coming to?
Yes, I agree the world has lost its sense of stupid joke. Get over it.
Abegail, you have misspelled “centre” in this story.
“who also worked at the delivery center.”
Hello @Rod63! Thanks so much, we’ve fixed it. Sorry about that!
What sort of a prude is this 20-year-old, it has already been said this country has lost its sense of humour things like this can’t hurt anyone and she doesn’t like delivering mail to the adult she should quit her job and stay home so mummy can change her nappy or grow up and act her age.
I’m disappointed and saddened that some posters here don’t recognise that this was thought up in malicious glee, to distress another worker. They shouldn’t have done this to anyone. Instead they deliberately targeted a young person, targeted her sensitivities. Well done to the Post Office for taking this action. .
One word for you blokes calling out women for being humourless and prudish in the face of sexual harassment in the workplace: dinosaurs.