Ambev, a major Brazilian brewery, has fired a manager and another employee following accusations from colleagues that they served drinks mixed with hand sanitizer during a happy hour event. The manager, Rosângela Amanda Fonseca, and employee Daniel Monteiro Coelho were accused of offering a dangerous mixture to coworkers, prompting their dismissal by the company after an internal investigation. The situation has escalated to legal proceedings, as Fonseca seeks to revert her firing, while the Tribunal Superior do Trabalho (TST) upheld her dismissal due to the severity of the allegations.

The defense team for the two ex-employees contests the allegations, claiming that there was no hand sanitizer in the drinks and that the mixture was simply a blend of German liqueur and guaraná. Their lawyer, Jean Cardin, insists that the comment made by Fonseca was intended as a joke. Despite this defense, Ambev maintains that its decision was based on a thorough inquiry that deemed the manager's actions as highly irresponsible, given the potential health risks associated with such a mixture, considering that hand sanitizer typically has a high alcohol content and other hazardous components.

The incident raises important questions about workplace safety and employee behavior during company events. While happy hours are often intended as networking opportunities, this case serves as a reminder of the need for companies to ensure responsible conduct among employees. The outcome of the legal proceedings will be closely monitored, as it could influence how similar cases are handled in the future, and it emphasizes the serious repercussions of mixing alcohol with substances not meant for consumption.