Banking Outrage Over 'Mock Terrorism' Christmas Party Photo
A senior banking executive and a junior colleague have ignited a major controversy after allegedly posing for a photo depicting a mock act of terrorism at their company's Christmas party. The incident, which reportedly left Jewish colleagues feeling so uncomfortable they left the event, occurred at a function for staff of Ubank, an offshoot of the National Australia Bank (NAB).
Disturbing Details of the Photo Booth Stunt
According to an anonymous employee who shared the allegation with the Instagram account The Aussie Corporate on Tuesday, the incident was captured in a Merivale Photo Booth at The Ivy venue. The source claimed the image showed the executive kneeling upright with hands behind their back, as if taken hostage. The junior colleague was allegedly standing over them, using both hands to form gun signs pointed at the executive.
In what was perceived as an 'attempt to depict a terrorist', the junior colleague is said to have worn a towel fashioned to resemble an Arabic-style headdress. The anonymous whistleblower stated that following the release of the image, the executive involved has not been seen in the workplace. Daily Mail has contacted both Ubank and NAB for comment on the allegations.
Legal Warnings on End-of-Year Party Conduct
The scandal emerges amid warnings from employment lawyers about the surge in misconduct cases during the festive season. HR Legal lawyer Dan Feldman told the Daily Mail that December is a busy period, with calls often beginning: "You wouldn't believe what happened last night at our end-of-year function".
He highlighted that the most common cases involve sexual harassment, bullying, and violence, with excessive alcohol or illicit drugs frequently a factor. Mr Feldman emphasised that employers still owe a duty of care at off-site, after-hours work functions, and liability can extend to unofficial after-parties if managers continue to pay for drinks.
This incident at Ubank serves as a stark reminder of how quickly festive celebrations can spiral into serious disciplinary and reputational issues for companies, underscoring the importance of clear standards for workplace behaviour at all company-sponsored events.
