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Dating app dismissals: Tinder ‘creep,’ Grindr priest and more

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Outside of work conduct can result in issues within work if the conduct is serious enough. Often resulting in a workplace investigation and allegations of serious misconduct. However, these are usually extreme examples.

Dating app dismissals: 4 examples

In the last few years, we’ve seen plenty of news stories about dating app dismissals. Workers who were dismissed due to using, or abusing, dating apps. In this article, we look at some of the more shocking examples.

This includes a Sydney man whose misogynistic Tinder messages were publicly aired by several women, leading to his sacking and a warrant for arrest. We’ll also look at the story of a US priest who sued Grindr for releasing data that showed he had used the app and visited gay bars.

Sydney Tinder ‘creep’ dismissed for misogynistic messages 

The unseemly side of a Sydney software developer was broadcast for all to see when his dating app messages went viral online in September 2020. Twenty-eight-year-old Thomas McGuirk, who was based in Bondi, Sydney was dismissed from his job as a result. He was also subject to an arrest warrant by the NSW police, and is still reportedly on the run.

Mr McGuirk’s descent into online infamy came after a former Tinder match, Ebonie Sanderson, posted his text and audio messages to her Instagram. In the messages, Mr McGuirk called her a “fat pig” and “f***ing ugly.” This was after Ms Sanderson had declined shacking up with him. 

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Thomas McGuirk’s Hinge profile (Instagram) – Talking to other coworkers (or anyone) with respect is a bare minimum workplace expectation. If that cannot be achieved then a termination may be imminent.

Told Tinder match he was ‘superior’

Ms Sanderson told media that she had agreed to meet Mr McGuirk, but later decided not to based on his online behaviour. This led to him sending “abusive messages about my appearance, and my weight,” she said. 

Mr McGuirk told her that he had “better genes.” He said that she was a “fat liberal arts chick” who knew “deep down you are below me.” He further said that the “dysgenic like you are there to serve us. You are the inferiors.”

The torrent of abuse did not end there, however. Mr McGuirk went on to tell Ms Sanderson that “You’re f***ing ugly. Your a** looks OKAY and you would have been one f***. You would have been just one f*** because you’re a disgusting fat pig.”

He ended by saying, “Look at my f***ing face. I don’t have to struggle to get laid. I especially don’t need a FOUR like you to get laid.”

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Ebonie Sanderson (Instagram) – If you are being harassed or bullied by a coworker, whether inside or outside work, it is important to inform a senior staff member. Do not fear facing adverse action.

‘Disgusting w****s with bad dental hygiene’: Tinder creep abused second woman

Mr McGuirk’s infamy and eventual dating app dismissal was prompted by allegations from more than one woman. Twenty-six-year-old Erin Hinds also publicly aired her Tinder exchanges with Mr McGuirk. She admitted to spending the night with him. However, when she told Mr McGuirk that she wanted to end the relationship, she said “he went crazy.”

Ms Hinds had said to him “sorry, I have changed my mind. It was fun but we really don’t have chemistry.” She said that Mr McGuirk then started “calling me a w***e and a s**t.” She said that he took pictures of her friends on social media. Then, he sent messages saying that “we are all retards, disgusting w****s with bad dental hygiene, and s***ts only worth one f**k each.”

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Thomas McGuirk’s Tinder profile (Instagram) – Unsure if you are eligible for an unfair dismissal? Let us help you with a free consultation.

Boss dismissed him and condemned behaviour

Mr McGuirk’s boss, Dave Scott, was sent angry messages from those who had heard the vile messages. Shortly thereafter, he dismissed Mr McGuirk from his position at Invenco Pty Ltd, having only joined the company six weeks earlier.

Mr Scott told media that he was “shocked and disgusted” by the messages. He said that the decision to dismiss him was “clear cut.”

“I had a read through of the contract and validated that it was an act of serious misconduct and that he was no longer fit for employment with us,” he said.

Mr Scott, who is CEO of Invenco, also released a statement on Instagram.

“I strongly reject any behaviour of this kind, at any time, in any place, for any reason. There is no excuse that makes this ok – ever,” he wrote on Instagram.”

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Mr McGuirk’s messages on Hinge (Instagram) – While poor conduct can result in a dismissal. Employers till cannot dictate what or how employees spend their free time. Using a dating app in its usual sense should not result in a dismissal. If an employer does try to manage an employee’s free time denounce and call out the toxic workplace behaviour.

‘Sincerely sorry’: Tinder creep addressed controversy

In all, a total of nine women contacted media about their dating app exchanges with Mr McGuirk. In October 2020, he broke his silence by telling media that the messages were “out of character” and that he was “sincerely sorry.”

He said that he was seeking professional help and that he was actually a “good, decent person.” He said that his behaviour was “wrong” and that it stemmed from him “struggling with rejection.”

‘I have no idea where he is’: Police still searching for him

The dating app dismissal was not the only problem Mr McGuirk had to contend with. In July 2021, the NSW police issued a warrant for his arrest. They sought to charge Mr McGuirk with stalking and intimidation. In October 2024, media reported that police were still seeking to charge him. However, it is understood that they haven’t been able to find him to serve him his court papers.

Media reported that it had made contact with Mr McGuirk’s father. He said “I don’t have any relationship with him” and “I have no idea where he is.” It was reported that shortly after apologising, Mr McGuirk had started a supplements business. However, his business registration was annulled in April 2022. All of his online activity now appears to have disappeared.

Catholic priest resigns after outed on Grindr

This scandalous story involving a high-ranking US Catholic priest made headlines in July 2024. It involved Monsignor Jeffrey Burrill, who served as a priest in the US state of Wisconsin. He had launched a lawsuit against the gay dating app Grindr after his data from the app was made public. According to his employer, Monsignor Burrill is not an example of a dating app dismissal but rather resigned voluntarily.

The data had been accessed by a Christian news website, who published the fact that Monsignor Burrill had been on Grindr. The data also showed that he had visited gay bars. This all took place between 2018 and 2020. The website claimed that the data was “commercially available.” It said that it identified Monsignor Burrill as the data included his phone number.

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Monsignor Jeffrey Burrill (USCCB/YouTube) – Be careful entering any workplace relationship and consider all risks prior to making a commitment.

Caused significant damage’ to reputation

In his lawsuit, Monsignor Burrill alleged that the website had procured the data from a Christian not-for-profit organisation. He claimed the not-for-profit purchased the data from Grindr so it could track down church leaders who were using the app.

Monsignor Burrill was general secretary of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB). In July 2021, the organisation announced that he had resigned from his position, citing “possible improper behavior.” It said that he had chosen to resign to “avoid becoming a distraction to the operations and ongoing work” of the USCCB.

Grindr denied wrongdoing 

In his lawsuit, Monsignor Burrill alleged that Grindr sold his personal data without gaining his consent. He said that if he had known his data could be made public he would not have used Grindr.

Grindr said that it would “respond vigorously to these allegations.” It claimed Monsignor Burrill’s allegations were “based on mischaracterisations of practices relating to user data.” A Grindr spokesperson had told media that the Christian website’s outing of the former priest was “homophobic.”

Engaged ‘in sincere and prayerful effort’ to repent for Grindr use

Monsignor Burrill aimed to sue Grindr for $5 million (over AU$8 million) in damages. His lawsuit accused the gay dating app of “intentionally and recklessly” failing to safeguard its users’ personal information. It further alleged that Grindr “fraudulently conceals and fails to disclose that it provides and/or sells its users’ personal data” to third parties.

Following his resignation in 2021, the next year Monsignor Burrill returned to clerical service at the Diocese of La Crosse in Wisconsin. Bishop William Callahan, of the Diocese, said that Monsignor Burrill “engaged in a sincere and prayerful effort to strengthen his priestly vows.” As of writing, Monsignor Burrill is serving as pastor of St Teresa of Kolkata Parish in West Salem.

Footballer dismissed for lying about age on Bumble profile

This story of a Turkish soccer player was picked up by media in February 2024. Emirhan Delibas was a winger at Besiktas, which plays in the top tier of Turkish football, the Super Lig. The club had enforced the dating app dismissal after they had found his Bumble profile. The problem was, however, that his profile said that his age was 24, when he had officially told the club he was 21.

The profile had surfaced on social media in February 2024. It featured a photo of Mr Delibas in his Besiktas jersey while holding a cup of coffee. Shortly after the profile went viral the club announced that he had been axed, but did not specify why.

“We have parted ways with professional football player Emirhan Delibas by mutual agreement,” the club announced. “We wish him success in his future career.”

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Mr Delibas’ Bumble profile (X) – Be careful on any and all online activity. Even if the action is not directed towards the employer, the company may consider some actions as serious misconduct. Particularly if there is derogatory language or illegal activity.

Player said profile was fake 

Mr Delibas had been involved with Besiktas since a young age. He joined the club’s youth academy at the age of seven in 2010 and made two senior appearances for the first team. Following his dismissal, Mr Delibas took to Instagram to refute claims that the Bumble profile belonged to him.

“I reject the slanders made by fake accounts and would like to state that my loyalty to my team cannot be questioned,” he wrote. “Besiktas is a responsibility for me. Your love has been my greatest motivation.”

Grindr dismissed nearly half of workforce for defying return-to-office

In September 2023, news broke that Grindr had fired a number of staff to punish them for unionising. In August, the gay dating app had demanding staff return to the office, many of whom were hired remotely. They were given two weeks to relocate to offices in several major US cities or face dismissal.

Eighty of the company’s 178 staff decided to defy the order. Resulting in mass dating app dismissals. Many of these workers had been hired remotely. They were not able to comply due to relocation difficulties or personal circumstances.

Return-to-office mandate ‘illegal,’ said labour authority

Grindr’s decision came just two weeks after workers announced their intention to unionise. In November 2024, the US National Labor Relations Board filed a formal complaint against the company, representing former Grindr staff in California, Hawaii and Nevada. It accused the company of “serious and substantial unfair labor practice conduct.”

The Board claimed that Grindr’s ultimatum to comply with the back-to-office mandate or face dismissal was a strategic ploy to deter union activity. It accused the company of interfering with employees’ right to unionise, It also accused Grindr of not recognising the union they wanted to join – Communications Workers of America.

“Rather than recognise the union, the company issued a new return-to-office policy requiring staff to relocate or quit,” Communications Workers of America said.

The Board said that Grindr presented staff with the option of an unlawful severance agreement. It said the company was also not willing to bargain with the union.

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Don’t suffer in silence. You have rights.

Grindr denied illegal action, cited improved ‘collaboration’ for office mandate 

In September 2023, a Grindr spokesperson responded to the union’s accusations by saying that they had “no merit.” The spokesperson said the company was “looking forward to returning to the office in a hybrid model…and further improving productivity and collaboration for our entire team.”

In November 2024, the company said that its return-to-office mandate “predated the union election petition.” It argued that it was only after the mandate was being implemented that staff decided to unionise.

Grindr had offered staff US$15,000 each to pay for their relocation expenses. And if they refused to relocate, they were offered six months of severance pay.

Workers refuted Grindr’s claims

However, some Grindr employees said that they had started to unionise in 2022 – well before the August 2023 mandate. They said that this was prompted by the dismissal of colleagues for no clear reason. Also, due to remarks the then in-coming CEO had made about trans people.

Media reported that if Grindr can’t come to an agreement with the Board, the formal complaint will be heard by an administrative law judge.

“We hope this NLRB filing sends a clear message to Grindr that, with a union, we are committed to negotiating fair working conditions in good faith,” Communications Workers of America said.

Have you been unfairly dismissed?

Our team of experienced workplace mediators can help you seek reinstatement or compensation. If you feel there was no valid reason for your dismissal, or you had your rights violated in the process, A Whole New Approach can help.

We help workers in every state and territory stand up for their rights. Learn how we can assist you in making an unfair dismissal claim – but act fast, as you only have 21 days from the day of your sacking to make a claim.

We offer a no win, no fee service – and you first consultation with us is private and free. Give us a call today on 1800 333 666. 

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