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Public servant who mocked German co-worker loses workplace appeal

Public servant who mocked German co-worker loses workplace appeal

A public servant working for the Department of Main Roads has been reprimanded after she admitted calling her German co-worker 'Helga' behind her back and using the phrase 'nein, nein'.
Nikki Hornberg, a project costing officer with TMR in Warwick, took her case to the Queensland Industrial Relations Commission after a penalty of reprimand was imposed and she was ordered to do additional training.
An independent investigation into Hornberg's actions revealed that between March and December 2023, she made disrespectful comments about a co-worker, including referring to her as 'Helga' and stating 'nein, nein', or words to that effect.
The co-worker was a German woman.
In the decision, handed down on July 17, the QIRC said many of Hornberg's submissions and grounds in her appeal notice were irrelevant or misconceived. She claimed 'the decision was made on the balance of probabilities, not factual evidence', and that the interviewer used 'persuasive and suggestive tactics'.
'Suffice to say that, despite some flaws in the investigation process, there was more than adequate evidence of the impugned conduct. This included Hornberg's own admission,' Industrial Commissioner John Dwyer said.
Hornberg contended her case should have been dealt with as a performance issue at a local level instead of as a disciplinary issue.
Dwyer found the decision for disciplinary action was fair and reasonable, and found no difficulty with the characterisation of her actions as 'misconduct'.
Dwyer said Hornberg conceded she used the name 'Helga' in reference to her co-worker, who she clashed with over an entry in a timesheet.
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Public servant who mocked German co-worker loses workplace appeal
Public servant who mocked German co-worker loses workplace appeal

Sydney Morning Herald

time2 days ago

  • Sydney Morning Herald

Public servant who mocked German co-worker loses workplace appeal

A public servant working for the Department of Main Roads has been reprimanded after she admitted calling her German co-worker 'Helga' behind her back and using the phrase 'nein, nein'. Nikki Hornberg, a project costing officer with TMR in Warwick, took her case to the Queensland Industrial Relations Commission after a penalty of reprimand was imposed and she was ordered to do additional training. An independent investigation into Hornberg's actions revealed that between March and December 2023, she made disrespectful comments about a co-worker, including referring to her as 'Helga' and stating 'nein, nein', or words to that effect. The co-worker was a German woman. In the decision, handed down on July 17, the QIRC said many of Hornberg's submissions and grounds in her appeal notice were irrelevant or misconceived. She claimed 'the decision was made on the balance of probabilities, not factual evidence', and that the interviewer used 'persuasive and suggestive tactics'. 'Suffice to say that, despite some flaws in the investigation process, there was more than adequate evidence of the impugned conduct. This included Hornberg's own admission,' Industrial Commissioner John Dwyer said. Hornberg contended her case should have been dealt with as a performance issue at a local level instead of as a disciplinary issue. Dwyer found the decision for disciplinary action was fair and reasonable, and found no difficulty with the characterisation of her actions as 'misconduct'. Dwyer said Hornberg conceded she used the name 'Helga' in reference to her co-worker, who she clashed with over an entry in a timesheet.

Public servant who mocked German co-worker loses workplace appeal
Public servant who mocked German co-worker loses workplace appeal

The Age

time2 days ago

  • The Age

Public servant who mocked German co-worker loses workplace appeal

A public servant working for the Department of Main Roads has been reprimanded after she admitted calling her German co-worker 'Helga' behind her back and using the phrase 'nein, nein'. Nikki Hornberg, a project costing officer with TMR in Warwick, took her case to the Queensland Industrial Relations Commission after a penalty of reprimand was imposed and she was ordered to do additional training. An independent investigation into Hornberg's actions revealed that between March and December 2023, she made disrespectful comments about a co-worker, including referring to her as 'Helga' and stating 'nein, nein', or words to that effect. The co-worker was a German woman. In the decision, handed down on July 17, the QIRC said many of Hornberg's submissions and grounds in her appeal notice were irrelevant or misconceived. She claimed 'the decision was made on the balance of probabilities, not factual evidence', and that the interviewer used 'persuasive and suggestive tactics'. 'Suffice to say that, despite some flaws in the investigation process, there was more than adequate evidence of the impugned conduct. This included Hornberg's own admission,' Industrial Commissioner John Dwyer said. Hornberg contended her case should have been dealt with as a performance issue at a local level instead of as a disciplinary issue. Dwyer found the decision for disciplinary action was fair and reasonable, and found no difficulty with the characterisation of her actions as 'misconduct'. Dwyer said Hornberg conceded she used the name 'Helga' in reference to her co-worker, who she clashed with over an entry in a timesheet.

Carolina Wilga: German backpacker discharged from Evangelical Hospital
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Backpacker Carolina Wilga has been discharged from a German hospital, almost two weeks after she was found missing in WA's outback. Evangelical Hospital spokesperson Kathrin Simonis on Thursday confirmed Ms Wilga was 'no longer admitted in this hospital', according to News Corp. The hospital is located in her family's hometown, Castrop-Rauxe, about 70km north-east of Dusseldorf. German newspaper BILD reported Ms Wilga had touched down at Dusseldorf Airport on Sunday afternoon, where she was escorted in a private ambulance to Evangelical Hospital. The 26-year-old was met by a nurse who — with the assistance of bodyguards — helped her into a wheelchair. A spokesperson for Castrop-Rauxel City's mayoral office said Mayor Rajko Kravanja was 'really, really happy' Ms Wilga was found safe and well. 'He was extremely moved by the entire story with Carolina, but it wasn't of course just about the mayor, it was the whole population here, the people of our town were really moved and and really concerned,' a spokesperson told the masthead on Thursday. 'We are now all so happy that it has ended this way, and that Carolina is now back here in Castrop-Rauxel, and back with her family.' Ms Wilga miraculously survived 11 nights alone in the remote Wheatbelt bush after her crashing her car, hitting her head and wandering off in a state of confusion. She survived by drinking rainwater from puddles and sleeping in a cave before she was spotted by local farmer, Tania French. Ms Wilga spent four nights recovering in Fiona Stanley Hospital before being discharged last Wednesday afternoon. In a statement, Ms Wilga thanked the WA community for their 'outpouring of support'. 'Western Australia has taught me what it really means to be part of a true community,' she said. 'The thought of all the people who believed in me, searched for me, and kept hoping for me gave me the strength to carry on during my darkest moments.' Ms Wilga farewelled Perth in a touching Instagram post at the weekend. 'Reunion with the ocean and a great goodbye to Perth with loooots of hugs ❤️ love you all,' she captioned the since deleted post. She shared several photos of her time in hospital, at Cottesloe Beach with friends, and a front page of The West Australian that featured her dramatic ordeal. Speculation is mounting Ms Wilga may have signed an exclusive deal to tell her story to a German television network.

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