You may have heard or read about the Italian 'pizzaiolo' in Australia who was reportedly fired after refusing to add pineapple pizza.

Summarized, he refused to make pineapple pizza because it goes against his cultural values, and that was enough to get him fired.

Except, it wasn't.

The story went viral for no reason - but that's how the internet works - but the virality encouraged media outlets to emphasize the story without actually double-checking the facts.

Here's what really happened: the chef's refusal to prepare ham and pineapple pizza on cultural grounds was the straw that broke the camel's back.

The restaurant's managing director noted that the chef had been at the center of previous workplace issues - inappropriate language, friction with staff, repeated refusals to make pizza.

The chef filed an unfair dismissal application with Australia's Fair Work Commission and the tribunal dismissed the claim.

Why? Because the restaurant presented evidence and the tribunal ruled that the firing was justified.

So he wasn't fired because he refused to make pineapple pizza; he was fired because he'd repeatedly caused trouble, and the pineapple pizza incident was the 'enough' moment.

He found another job, apparently, so good for him. And because this thing went viral like crazy, if he wants to and if he's smart about it, he can absolutely monetize this.

And he should.

I wish him all the best.

But it really, really irks me that this continues to happen: facts are bent, 'customized', garnished.

As they say: "don't let the truth get in the way of a good story".