On the weekend, Netflix's US communications chief Jonathan Friedland was fired from the company for "descriptive use of the N-word" in the workplace. In an internal memo to staff, CEO Reed Hastings explained that Friedland had been let go for exhibiting "unacceptably low racial awareness and sensitivity."

Meanwhile, here in Australia, much has been made of "the right to be a bigot". This got us wondering - is it legal to terminate an Australian employee for using a racial epithet? Or would they have a case for unfair dismissal? Let's find out.

Last week, a teenager working in Canberra was fired from her job for posting that she will vote "No" in the same-sex marriage survey. In explaining her actions, the employer argued that the post was "hate speech" that could damage the reputation of her business. Others claim this is a clear-cut case of unfair dismissal. Let's take a look at what the law reckons.

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