Bank executive sacked after being photographed in mock terrorism act

An executive at National Australia Bank’s online offshoot UBank has been asked to leave after they were photographed participating in a mock terrorism act at a work Christmas party and an investigation by the company found they had behaved inappropriately.

Details sent by an anonymous employee to The Aussie Corporate – a meme page turned media brand for Australian professionals – and reported by The Australian suggest the “disturbing image” was captured in a Merivale photo booth during a bank Christmas function held at Sydney CBD nightlife precinct The Ivy last month.

The employee, who was at the party on Tuesday, November 18, and requested to remain anonymous, said the image involved an executive and a junior colleague who took part in a depiction of a mock hostage-taking situation.

“The executive was photographed kneeling upright, hands placed behind their back, suggesting they were a hostage or captive,” the post read. “The junior colleague stood over the executive, using both hands to form gun signs directed at the executive. Following the release of this image, the executive involved has not been seen in the workplace.”

The employee said the situation was “further compounded” by the junior colleague wearing an Arabic head dress and towel. “[It] was understood to be an attempt to depict a terrorist,” the employee said.

Another anonymous employee came forward following the initial post, saying there were “lots of uncomfortable people at the party” when they saw the garments, according to the Aussie Corporate. “A few Jewish colleagues felt uncomfortable and left when they saw the mock terrorist act.”

In a statement, UBank chief executive Kanishka Raja confirmed there had been an executive departure on Monday before the Aussie Corporate post was released.

“Senior leaders are expected to model appropriate behaviour consistent with our policies,” he said. “We take matters relating to our Code of Conduct extremely seriously, we have investigated thoroughly and acted swiftly.”

In a message to staff on team communication platform Slack, Raja said all employees had a responsibility to uphold the company’s code of conduct.

“The standards and consequences it sets out apply to everyone without exception,” he wrote. “Today I have been meeting teams to confirm [the executive] has left UBank.”

The bank has wrapped up its investigation with relevant people slapped with consequences as the bank looks to fill the role left by the executive.

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