An Australia Post delivery driver who was sacked after taking a company van on a detour to buy fried chicken has lost his appeal against his dismissal at the Fair Work Commission. The tribunal found that the employee's conduct breached company policy on the use of vehicles and amounted to a valid reason for termination, upholding the postal service's original decision. The ruling reinforces employers' rights to enforce vehicle-use rules and dismiss staff who misuse company property during working hours.

The commission examined the circumstances of the KFC detour and rejected the worker's arguments that his sacking was harsh or unreasonable, siding instead with Australia Post's position that the unauthorised trip justified ending his employment. The case highlights how seemingly minor breaches of workplace policy, such as using a work vehicle for personal errands, can carry serious consequences including job loss when they contravene clear employer guidelines.