Where an altercation has its origin in an employment-related matter, the making of an insulting or offensive remark by the worker during the course of that dispute does not break the connection with employment so as to prevent the resulting injury from arising 'out of or in the course of' employment. The use of insulting language in the course of a work-related dispute does not alter the character of the dispute. However, the dissent's view — that racial abuse constitutes an abandonment of employment because it is not in the intended pursuit of the employer's interests — remains a live alternative analysis.
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