An employment tribunal has ruled that calling a manager a "dickhead" is not automatically a sackable offense, awarding almost £30,000 to an office manager who was unfairly dismissed. Kerrie Herbert was fired on the spot after using the term during a heated argument with her manager and another director. Employment Judge Sonia Boyes found the company did not act reasonably in dismissing Herbert for a single, uncharacteristic comment made during a dispute. The judge stated that the comment, while unacceptable, did not constitute gross misconduct or serious enough misconduct to warrant summary dismissal. The company also failed to follow proper disciplinary procedures. Herbert had said to her superiors, "If it was anyone else in this position they would have walked years ago due to the goings-on in the office, but it is only because of you two dickheads that I stayed." Her manager responded by saying, "Don't call me a fucking dickhead or my wife. That's it, you're sacked. Pack your kit and fuck off." The tribunal awarded Herbert £15,042.81 in compensation and ordered the firm to pay £14,087 towards her legal fees. This ruling implies that context and a pattern of behavior are crucial in determining the severity of employee misconduct.