What happened when the symbol of workplace trauma became personal body art
An experienced HR team dismissed two employees for workplace bullying. Then the complainant got a pentagram tattoo—the very symbol she said terrified her.
The Fair Work Commission overturned both dismissals on February 5, 2026, ordering Queensland Venue Co Pty Ltd to pay $15,455.76 in compensation. The decision shows how even seasoned HR professionals can misread workplace incidents when investigations lean on assumptions more than evidence.
Emma Donato, a duty manager at Cleveland Sands Hotel, had been leaving small rubber ducks around staff areas in July 2025 as a morale booster. On July 3, she arranged ducks and a hand-drawn pentagram on a manager's desk, planning to follow it up with a larger duck the next day as the finale of the joke.
The manager found the display on July 4 and lodged a formal complaint, writing that although the ducks might seem funny, "it is a symbol evoking the devil. I have past experiences that terrify me of these ritualistic actions, but I'm sure it would upset anyone." National People and Culture Manager Jacqueline Griffin led an investigation using roster checks and CCTV to identify Emma, who was dismissed on July 9, 2025.
Emma's wife, Serena Donato, worked as a Food and Beverage Supervisor at another venue in the group. She became entangled when she posted about the incident in a private Instagram group chat of around 30 current and former employees on July 6, asking...
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