A Whangarei woman unjustifiably dismissed from her first job out of school has been awarded lost wages and $4000 in compensation.
Nina Walker worked for Simply Kids Preschool in Onerahi from March 25, 2015 until June 12, 2015 when she was dismissed by company owner Irina Liebig. Ms Liebig said the dismissal was justified under the 90-day trial period, but Ms Walker took a claim for unjustified dismissal to the Employment Relations Authority (ERA) which this week ruled in her favour.
ERA member Eleanor Robinson ordered Ms Liebig to pay Ms Walker $4000 compensation for humiliation, loss of dignity and injury to feelings; $474.95 in lost wages and $3250 in costs. Ms Liebig said she did not plan to appeal the decision.
The authority heard that Ms Walker was given two individual employment agreements (IEAs) about a month apart after starting, but was given no opportunity to take the second agreement away to seek independent advice on it.
Ms Walker was warned once not to sit down at work, but apart from that had received no complaints about her performance.