Rolex salesman sacked for drinking whisky at Glasgow boutique loses unfair dismissal claim

A former sales floor manager at the Rolex Boutique on Glasgow’s Buchanan Street who was dismissed after being caught drinking whisky at work has lost an unfair dismissal claim at an employment tribunal in Glasgow.

Blaine O’Connor, who had worked for Watches of Switzerland for about 15 years, was dismissed after an anonymous complaint in July 2024 prompted managers to review store CCTV and interview staff. The tribunal heard that footage and witness accounts showed O’Connor pouring whisky from a boxed bottle of Glenmorangie into a can of cola and later having a co‑worker pour more whisky into a glass for him while on duty.

Watches of Switzerland’s written policy states colleagues are not permitted to consume alcoholic beverages on company premises and instructs staff to join clients with non‑alcoholic drinks if invited to a celebratory drink during work time. Tribunal documents said there was “no evidence of other colleagues drinking in the showroom during trading hours whilst they were on duty.”

At the two‑day hearing, Employment Judge Nicol Hosie said he was satisfied O’Connor’s behaviour amounted to gross misconduct and that the dismissal was fair. The tribunal was told that colleagues reported concerns both about his alcohol consumption and about his behaviour towards staff, prompting the anonymous complaint that led managers to trawl through CCTV from July 27, 2024.

Four colleagues were interviewed during the investigation, and the tribunal heard of two further allegations that O’Connor had consumed alcohol in the boutique in March and April 2024. O’Connor acknowledged “instances of my wrongdoing in relation to alcohol,” but argued that drinking in the showroom was “part of the culture” and said some colleagues had poured him what he described as a “special tea” — whisky served in a teacup — so others would not know it was alcohol.

The employer denied a pervasive culture of alcohol use on the shop floor and relied on its written rules to justify dismissal. The tribunal accepted the employer’s account that the company policy forbade drinking on premises and that evidence did not support O’Connor’s claim that others were drinking while on duty.

O’Connor, who rose to a senior sales role during a 15‑year career that took him on business trips to cities including New York and Las Vegas, had sold high‑value luxury watches, many retailing into six figures. He had posted images with celebrity clients, including former Rangers player Jermaine Defoe and singer Matt Goss, on his LinkedIn profile.

The case highlights the enforcement of workplace alcohol policies in luxury retail settings, where employers say adherence to conduct rules protects staff, customers and high‑value stock. The tribunal did not order compensation or reinstate O’Connor, concluding the employer acted within its disciplinary framework after receiving credible complaints corroborated by CCTV and witness statements.