A recycling worker must pay £150 compensation after punching his "moody" boss when accused of slacking.
Kyle Brown, 29, worked as a "picker packer" at the unit where tasks should be alternated to prevent injury, a court heard.
His solicitor Anna Sood said this was not done so Brown did it "of his own accord" because he suffers from back and shoulder pain.
"His boss didn't like it when he was on the picking line. He said he was not working fast enough and said there was nothing on the line.
"The boss gave him a warning and when asked why, he said because he was answering back he gave him a second warning.
"He never knew what type of mood his boss would be in. He is very changeable, depending on the day," Miss Sood told city magistrates.
Police investigating 'shocking spate of graffiti attacks' in Redhill
Brown, of Graylands Road, Bilborough, was later shown CCTV of the picking line. "His boss was laughing in his face and he lost his temper which is something he very much regrets.
"It has caused him to lose a job he had for five years," added Miss Sood. Brown admitted assault by beating on September 11 at Colwick.
The court heard Brown returned home after the argument but came back. The manager was punched six times and left with a swollen left eye.
Ben Payne, prosecuting, said the assault took place at the recycling unit.
Gulf War veteran who flies a Union flag in his own garden has been 'ordered to take it down'
"The defendant came into the site office, which is a Portakabin, and confronted the victim. He then punched him to the face with six blows," said Mr Payne.
As well as paying compensation to the injured man, Brown must come up with £85 prosecution costs and an identical figure as a government surcharge. He must spend ten days with probation officers.
The court heard he suffered from anxiety. He had been taking medication but improved when he began going to a gym.
Presiding magistrate Caroline Exton told him: "We can see you have taken action for yourself with counselling, found a new job and have been taking positive steps."
Criminal with 'one of the worst records judge has ever seen' jailed for string of offences
Take a look inside the giant warehouse now open at East Midlands Gateway
Did family from Nottingham capture early sighting of big cat spotted in the West Country?
