A man who was fired for his lack of “fun” has won a $500,000 payout after a court ruled he was wrongly dismissed.
The man, named only as Mr T, was fired by Cubik Partners after being criticized for not being “fun or professional” and failing to match the company’s “values.”
The case happened in France, and has been rumbling on since 2015.
Last month, the Paris Court of Appeal declared Cubik’s dismissal of the man constituted a violation of his freedom of expression and essential rights.
The man had been with the company since 2011.
He was accused of avoiding company gatherings and weekend socials.
The company said he also lacked listening skills, and adopting a harsh and demoralizing manner when communicating with his team.
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The man said he avoided the events because they often involved excessive alcohol consumption, encouraged by senior staff.
He said this led to inappropriate behavior, including harassment and the promotion of excessive and improper activities.
He said: “Seminars and weekend drinks often led to excessive drinking, encouraged by the associates, who made large quantities of alcohol available, and by practices advocated by the associates, involving promiscuity, bullying and incitement to various excesses and misconduct.”
After he was sacked, Mr T took Cubik Partners to an industrial tribunal, seeking €496,000 for wrongful termination.
His initial appeal was dismissed by the Paris Court of Appeal in 2021.
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However, the case was sent back to the Court of Appeal.
Judges found the criticisms of the employee’s behavior were not just personal opinions but infringements on his freedom of expression.
The verdict on January 30 confirmed the man’s right to express dissent, a fundamental liberty, had been breached.
Mr T has been given the option to return to the company, though it remains uncertain if he will choose to do so.
