Qantas engineer who slapped a flight attendant on the bottom is sacked

A Qantas engineer has been sacked after slapping a female flight attendant on the bottom before take off.

Luke Sikalias lost his claim for unfair dismissal at the Fair Work Commission after an incident before a flight from Melbourne to Sydney in May 2018.

The 55-year-old asked the woman if she was single and told her he likes blondes before slapping her and leaving his hand on her body.

The father-of-two left the flight, before being recalled onto the plane due to a mechanical issue he said he caused so he could ask the flight attendant on a date. 

Fair Work Commission Deputy President Val Gostencnik said Mr Sikalias’ actions were ‘creepy’. 

‘A modicum of common sense should tell one that the conduct… is not on,’ he said, as reported by The Brisbane Times.

Mr Sikalias had another incident with the flight attendant in November 2018 where he again slapped her on the bottom, saying he meant to touch her back.

He denied the sexual harassment claims and was fired in March 2019.

Mr Sikalias was forced to move in with his parents and could not provide for his children after he was sacked.

He claimed he was professional at work, while the flight attendant had complained to other staff about his behaviour, though no one saw any misconduct. 

Federal secretary of the Australian Licensed Engineers Association Steve Purvinas was frustrated with Fair Work’s verdict due to a lack of evidence. 

‘A man with 37 years’ experience, the only job he’s ever had in his life, has lost his income and career because of one report to which there are no witnesses,’ he said.

A Qantas spokesman said they won’t allow any harassment in their workplace.  

‘We have zero tolerance for any form of harassment,’ they said. ‘Everyone should feel safe and respected when they come to work.’