
Drugs at work result in quick termination
It’s no secret that taking drugs at work is one of the easiest ways to get dismissed. Even so, every so often stories of workers turning up to work under the influence make the headlines.
In this article, you’ll not only read about a teacher who “sniffed a house up his nose,”. But also a postal employee who trafficked cocaine at work. But to start us off, let’s take heed of the very frank advice an Australian CEO recently gave his staff on the perils of taking drugs at work functions.
“I take drugs myself:” Aussie CEO stuns staff with pre-Xmas work party rant
In December 2024, the Australian CEO of recruitment company Sharp & Carter made headlines for his very honest speech to his staff. Stephen Carter, the founder, addressed his over 200 staff members over Zoom to set expectations for the company’s Christmas party.
“I’m not a prude. I take drugs myself, I just don’t do it at work events,”. He candidly told his team in footage that was secretly recorded (which you can view here). “Because that’s when things get really out of hand.”
Mr Carter then outlined the dangers of taking drugs in the workplace, and the potential for dismissal. “If you take drugs at the Christmas party you will be fired. It’s a really strong rule,” he said. But it was not only the dangers of taking drugs at work that was on the agenda for Mr Carter. The brutally honest CEO also offered advice to those staff members who may be seeking to hook up with colleagues at the Christmas party.
“If you want to cheat on your partner I would recommend 2024 has been a stark reminder it is probably not wise to cheat on your partner with someone at work,’ said Mr Carter, causing chuckles from some staff. “If you are going to cheat on your partner and if you have to do it – just don’t do it with someone at work… it really becomes problematic as we have seen.”

Defended speech to media, claimed there was more to video
Speaking to The Daily Mail, Mr Carter said the brief video clip that has circulated on social media did not capture everything he had to say. “It really doesn’t reflect the full message I wanted to share,’ he said. Stating that the clip made public was only 20 seconds long. Mr Carter claimed that he spoke to staff for more than 15 minutes on this occasion.
He told media that his “goal” was “to encourage everyone to make good choices at the Christmas Party.” Mr Carter said that he wanted his team “to avoid doing anything that might harm themselves, others, or be career limiting.” “At 203 people we are representative of society, and in society that happens, people take drugs, people cheat on their partner and I’m just trying to get ahead of that,” said Mr Carter.
He admitted to media that he regretted the way his message came across in the video. However, Mr Carter defended his speech. Stating that “the intention obviously is to look after and care for my people so they don’t do damage to themselves and others.” “I haven’t been exposed for sexually harassing dozens of staff, or caught in a compromising position or passed out in a ditch,” he told media.
Postal worker dismissed for trafficking drugs at work
In April 2024, the story of a US postal worker who was sentenced for drug trafficking made headlines. Fifty-four-year-old Ralph Minni was not only dismissed from his job but also sentenced to six years in federal prison.
He had been caught trafficking cocaine and marijuana through the United States Postal Service. Mr Minni worked for the Postal Service at a post office in the city of Greece, New York. The trafficking took place between May 2018 and May 2022.
Coworkers ‘snorted cocaine off his desk’
Mr Minni was found guilty of possession with intent to distribute cocaine. Additionally, possession of a firearm by an unlawful user of a controlled substance. Evidence presented in court showed that he removed packages containing drugs from the mail stream while working in his office. The emptied parcels were then returned to the postal system, while the substances were transported to Mr Minni’s residence.
He distributed the drugs both from his home and from the post office. This included to his coworkers, who “snorted cocaine off of (his) desk and then went back to work,” the US Attorney’s Office said.

Video surveillance caught him in the act
Investigators installed two hidden cameras in Mr Minni’s office in March 2022 under a court order. Footage showed him removing drugs from packages and supplying them to coworkers. In one instance, a coworker was recorded crushing a white substance, forming it into a line and snorting it off Mr Minni’s desk.
Mr Minni was arrested in May 2022 after finishing a shift at the post office. He was subsequently dismissed from his job. After searching his home, the police seized an estimated 700 grams of cocaine, marijuana, 36 handguns, an AR-15-style rifle and over 19,000 rounds of ammunition.
Ex-girlfriend also arrested for drugs at work
Mr Mini’s ex-girlfriend, who also worked at the post office, got caught up in his scheme. She faced separate charges for conspiring and attempting to possess with intent to distribute marijuana and over 500 grams of cocaine.
With regard to his own legal defense, Mr Minni’s lawyer argued that his client’s conduct was out of character and that he had expressed remorse for his actions. His crimes could have seen him serve up to 40 years in prison. And cop a fine of up to $5,000,000. The six-year sentence he received was slightly less than what prosecutors were seeking.
Teacher who ‘sniffed a house up his nose’ banned from profession
In May 2024, the story of a coke-sniffing teacher made headlines. Forty-six year old Austin Whiting was a geography teacher at Borden Grammar School in Sittingbourne, UK. He had been teaching there since 2004 and had resigned in March 2023. But intended on staying at the school until the end of the academic year.
Two days before his resignation, however, Mr Whiting admitted to having an inappropriate conversation with a student in which he told them details about his private life. The details of what he said were not made public. A few days later, Mr Whiting sent an email to his colleagues saying that he had a cocaine addiction and that he was committed to getting off the drug.

Wanted to write book about his prolific cocaine and drug use
Mr Whiting had a meeting with the school and subsequently submitted his resignation again. This was when a new complaint was made against him. Some of his students had seen a Snap Chat posted by Mr Whiting. In the post, he had said that he wanted to write a book named “The Man Who Sniffed a House Up His Nose.”
Brought before education panel
Mr Whiting’s troubled ways eventually saw him brought before an education panel, with his career hanging in the balance. He admitted to using cocaine between March and May 2023. However, denied allegations of possessing or consuming drugs on school premises or in his vehicle.
While the panel found no evidence to support these latter claims, they upheld the charge of inappropriate communication with a student. It concluded that he had acted irresponsibly given the student’s vulnerability. “The use of cocaine, a Class A drug, by a teacher amounted to misconduct of a serious nature which fell significantly short of the standards expected of the profession,” the panel stated.
Despite addiction, teacher was respected by peers
Testimonies from colleagues portrayed Mr Whiting as a dedicated and skilled educator during his 17 years at the school. He was well-regarded by students and staff alike. The panel heard how newly qualified teachers were often sent to observe his lessons as examples of best practice.
The panel also considered mitigating factors, including his previously unblemished record and genuine remorse. Mr Whiting acknowledged the impact of his actions. He told the panel that he understood the responsibilities associated with being a teacher and the importance of serving as a positive example.
Efforts to address his behaviour included establishing support networks involving friends and a new general practitioner. However, the panel found these measures could not guarantee that he would not fall back into his cocaine use when under stress.
Banned from teaching for life
In the end, the panel decided that banning Mr Whiting from teaching was a necessary and proportionate response. It cited his “real risk of repetition” with regards to cocaine use. The prohibition order, which prevents Mr Whiting from teaching in any capacity, is subject to review after two years.
Bar manager dismissed for blowing whistle on drug-taking coworkers
This story, which made the media rounds in November 2024, does not involve a worker who was dismissed for taking drugs at work. Rather, she was fired for telling on her drug-taking coworkers. Nadine Fallone began working for London bar Peckham Levels in August 2022. Her role required her to oversee health and safety matters and ensuring compliance with licensing requirements.
In her unfair dismissal claim, Ms Fallone said that she raised several incidents with her employer about her coworkers’ behaviour. One of those took place in December 2022, when Peckham Levels hosted a watch party for the World Cup quarter final match between England and France. During the match, Ms Fallone noticed that several of her coworkers had taken bottles of wine form the bar and were drunk.

In another incident at a New Year’s Eve event at the bar, she saw a colleague remove “no smoking” signs from the terrace. Breaching the bar’s licensing terms. Ms Fallone also saw staff members smoking on the terrace and acting intoxicated. Which she considered a health and safety violation.
Reports cocaine incident at work party
In January 2023, Ms Fallone reported these incidents to her line manager and a HR company that consulted to the bar. However, no action resulted from her complaint. Then a few days later, a coworker told her that that another colleague had offered her cocaine at a work party. Ms Fallone reported this to her manager. Who then admitted to her that she had done cocaine with the same colleague at the New Years Eve event.
Worker outed as complainant
Peckham levels tasked the HR company to conduct an investigation into Ms Fallone’s complaints. However, at her unfair dismissal hearing, the tribunal heard that this investigation was continually delayed. During this time, staff were also informed Ms Fallone was the source of the complaints.
She told the tribunal that after this was made public, she noticed a change in the way her coworkers treated her. Ms Fallone said they started “ignoring her.” The investigation eventually ran its course. The HR company concluded that Ms Fallone “had heard rumours about drugs being offered by staff in the workplace and that there were ‘blurred lines’ after work regarding both drinking and drug taking by staff.”

Dismissal and tribunal findings
On 16 February 2023, after returning from a period of sick leave for mental health reasons, Ms Fallone was dismissed without prior notice. Peckham Levels cited “business reasons” for the termination, but the tribunal found this explanation “so vague as to be meaningless.”
The tribunal determined that Ms Fallone’s dismissal was directly tied to her protected disclosure about drug use and staff misconduct. The tribunal judge stated that the use of drugs on the premises and the acceptance of such behaviour could lead to “unacceptable sexual or violent behaviour” and posed a risk to health and safety.
Wins huge unfair dismissal payout
The tribunal also found that Ms Fallone was subjected to workplace detriment as a result of her disclosures. The bar’s owner was deemed “clearly unhappy” about the investigation she initiated.
The owner was described by the tribunal as “confused, vague and inconsistent” in his approach to firing Ms Fallone. The tribunal awarded Ms Fallone’s compensation of £33,259 (around AU$67,000).
Have you been unfairly dismissed?
Our team at A Whole New Approach are Australia’s leading workplace mediators. (note we are not lawyers). We’ve helped over 16,000 workers across Australia take action through the Fair Work Commission.
If you have been unfairly dismissed or faced discrimination, harassment or adverse action, call us today. We can help you get compensation and hold your employer accountable. We offer a no win, no fee service – and your first consultation with us is free and completely confidential.
Call us now on 1800 333 666 to take the first step in getting justice.