Croc wrangling public servant exiled for calling boss ‘f***ing idiot’

A veteran public servant has failed in his bid to prove he was treated unfairly for calling his boss a “f***ing idiot”.

Veteran public servant Mike Joyce failed in his bid to prove he was punished unfairly for calling his boss, Kirstin Kenyon, a “f***ing idiot”.

A veteran Queensland public servant who was reprimanded and transferred 350km for referring to his boss as a “f***ing idiot” during a team meeting with staff, has failed in his bid to prove he was treated unfairly and unreasonably.

Michael Joyce, the regional manager of northern wildlife operations with Queensland Parks and Wildlife (QPW), took his case to the Queensland Industrial Relations Commission (QIRC) after he was given “temporary alternative duties” and transferred to work in Townsville for a year as part of “management action” taken against him.

Mr Joyce, who has worked for the public service for 29 years, found out about his transfer in a letter in December 2023, being informed that the relocation from his base in Cairns would give him “the space and opportunity” to “reflect on your own management style”.

He was found to have called Department of the Environment and Science executive director, Kirstin Kenyon, a “f***ing idiot” while addressing his team on March 1, 2023 during a meeting “to discuss workplace behaviour”.

Michael Joyce was found to have called his boss a “f***ing idiot”. Picture: Alix Sweeney

In her decision handed down on November 29, QIRC Commissioner Jacqueline Power threw out Mr Joyce’s bid to overturn the decision to transfer him to Townsville as part of management action.

QPW assistant director general Andrew Buckley wrote to Mr Joyce and told him in late 2023 that “the disrespect you have shown your executive director is inexcusable” and was deserving of a reprimand.

“While you do not recall saying the words as alleged you accept the findings and agree that your actions were unacceptable,” Mr Buckley wrote, adding that Mr Joyce was expected to “model appropriate behaviour and respect for all employees” as a manager.

Mr Joyce argued that he used the term “f***ing idiot” out of desperation in a stressful situation when referring to management and that his punishment was “excessive”

The department argued that its finding that Mr Joyce said the words about Ms Kenyon was

“based on multiple witnesses.”

Mr Joyce “regretted his actions, although he was unable to recall his exact phrasing”.

Croc-wrangler Michael Joyce did not suffer a cut in salary or entitlements. Picture: Zak Simmonds

Mr Joyce did not suffer a cut in salary or entitlements, the department told the hearing.

He was found to have breached the Queensland public service code of conduct.

He agreed to apologise for his behaviour to his team in Cairns, provide Ms Kenyon a written apology and to complete a leadership training program.

The department submitted that on June 26, 2022, a year before the “f***ing idiot” comment, Ms Kenyon reminded Mr Joyce to “act in a professional manner when interacting with members of the public and not to park government assets on the street” after she received a “customer complaint” about his “use of inappropriate language”.

Kirstin Kenyon, Department of Environment and Science executive director, previously received a customer complain about Mr Joyce’s “use of inappropriate language”. Picture: Supplied.

Mr Joyce disputed the characterisation of his 2022 conversation with Ms Kenyon as “formal feedback”, stating he was not given a written direction or warning by Ms Kenyon.

Ms Kenyon has worked at the Department of the Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation for nearly 13 years including a stint in the southern parks and forests, wildlife and threatened species division and on Great Barrier Reef partnerships.

She also spent seven years at the Department of Resources and also time with the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water.

Originally published as Croc wrangling public servant exiled for calling boss ‘f***ing idiot’