A company chief executive has been criticised for using inappropriate language and for sacking a worker by text message after the worker called the executive "an old c---".

While the employee's conduct would ordinarily warrant dismissal, when balanced with the CEO's inappropriate conduct, it was found to be unfair.

A CEO was criticised for using inappropriate language before his employee called him an "old c--t" Credit:Michael Clayton-Jones

"[I]t takes two to tango," said Fair Work Commission Deputy President Ingrid Asbury, who had "some sympathy" with the complaint against the labourer who was compensated for unfair dismissal.

In evidence, the labourer said the chief executive's demeanour became aggressive and he started swearing when the labourer asked about his unpaid overtime.