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A FORMER AirAsia steward was awarded RM31,920 compensation after the Industrial Court ruled that his dismissal over private social media posts was without just cause or excuse.
Chairman Pravin Kaur Jessy held that Hyffny Yusof's comments on his personal Facebook and Instagram accounts did not constitute serious misconduct, as the posts were made privately, off-duty, and caused no proven harm to the airline's reputation, reported The New Straits Times.
Hyffny, who joined AirAsia in 2017, was dismissed on Feb 2, 2023, after he was accused of uploading inappropriate remarks that allegedly disparaged the company and its staff.
The low-budget airline claimed Hyffny's conduct had breached its disciplinary and social media policies.
However, the court found that the postings were restricted to his circle of friends and written out of frustration following a 12-hour flight delay, during which the crew were reportedly left waiting without proper rest or meals.
"The language used was unguarded, not insubordinate. Absent proof of malice or reputational harm, the conduct cannot amount to serious misconduct," the chairman said in her grounds of judgment dated Oct 30.
The court said the dismissal was disproportionate, noting that industrial discipline must be balanced with fairness and human understanding.
It ruled that AirAsia's broad application of its social media policy intruded into the employee's right to privacy and free expression.
AirAsia was ordered to pay RM31,920, representing back wages and compensation in lieu of reinstatement, within 30 days, with interest of eight per cent per annum if unpaid thereafter.
Ismail Nasaruddin from the National Union of Flight Attendants (Nufam) appeared for the claimant while Sebastian Tay Hanxin and Rebecca Sonali Alfred represented the airline. – November 3, 2025
