A Whangarei company has been ordered to pay a former worker eight weeks' wages and $5500 in distress compensation after the man was found to have been unjustifiably dismissed and disadvantaged.
Dion Hira claimed he was unjustifiably dismissed from his job at Barfoote Holdings in April 2010 and subsequently unjustifiably disadvantaged. He took his case to the Employment Relations Authority.
Barfoote Holdings said in defence that Mr Hira had left the company on his own accord after walking off the job following a dispute with his foreman on April 24, 2010.
In a decision, ERA member Rachel Larmer found in Mr Hira's favour, saying he was unjustifiably dismissed and disadvantaged, awarding him eight weeks' wages.
"I consider an award of $5500 distress compensation is [also] appropriate to compensate Mr Hira for the humiliation, loss of dignity and injury to feelings he suffered as a result of his disadvantage and dismissal grievances," Ms Larmer said.