Thompson dismissed from EMA

Alasdair Thompson. Photo / Steven McNicholl

The board of the Employers and Manufacturers Association has dismissed its chief executive Alasdair Thompson over his controversial statements on women's workplace productivity.

Board chair Graham Mountfort said the decision came because of Mr Thompson's conduct on June 23, when he suggested women's "monthly sick problems" made them less productive in an interview with Newstalk ZB.

He later became involved in a fiery confrontation with a TV3 reporter when she questioned him on the statements.

His conduct sparked an angry outcry on micro-blogging site Twitter and saw the Council of Trade Unions call for him to be fired.

Mr Mountfort said the board felt Mr Thompson could no longer continue as chief executive amid the angry fallout.

"We regret that Alasdair's role with the EMA is ending in this manner, especially considering the contribution he has made over the past 12 years.

"However under the circumstances the Board has had to make this difficult decision."

Mr Mountfort said the board would not make further comment as it was an employment matter.

He earlier told the Herald Mr Thompson's statements were "way off the wall" and had provoked justifiable anger among women.

Sources had said the board were "anxious" to resolve Mr Thompson's employment future but were faced with legal obstacles.

Swift reaction to Thompson's departure

Green MP Catherine Delahunty, whose member's bill to amend the Equal Pay Act sparked the debate that led to Mr Campbell's comments, welcomed the decision.

"I think it was inevitable. You cannot lead a modern nationally-based business organisation with the kind of attitudes that Alasdair expressed.

"It is high time that the Employers and Manufacturers modernised but we should also see a modernisation of the law in the country because what his unfortunate remarks show is that there are barriers to women getting fairly treated in the workplace."

"It is good the issue is being debated even though it has come as a result of exposing some bizarre stereotyping and sexism. But the fact that sexism is still out there just shows we need the law to be robust, we can't just rely on the goodwill of individuals who might lead organisations because it has been shown to be a flawed way to achieve pay equity for women."

Council of Trade Unions president Helen Kelly said Mr Thompson had not been a good leader for the EMA.

She hoped his dismissal would see a change to how the organisation approached the issue of gender pay equity.

While it had opposed Mr Thompson's "unfortunate" comments, it had not backed any efforts to narrow the pay gap between men and women, she said.

"This is a real opportunity for that organisation to change.

"This issue is not going to go away with the dismissal of one person."

Mr Thompson had been a strong opponent of worker's rights - including the right to a fair dismissal process, Ms Kelly said.

Air New Zealand, who pulled out of their membership with the EMA last week, said it had no plans to change that position.

Facebook reaction

nzherald.co.nz Facebook readers were quick to react to the news, flooding our Facebook page with comment.

Gavin Saussey said he hoped the only job Thompson could now get was in a tampon factory.

"Good riddance to bad rubbish I say!" another reader said.

While most readers were in support of the move to sack Thompson, some questioned why it had taken so long.

Others were less supportive of the move with Miriam Isabelle describing the sacking as "harsh".

"That is the spirit of the employment legislation in this country and that is the advice that his organisation would give out to any of its members (other employers). If you want a second chance for your own silly mistakes in a job, then why deny him the same?"

"Oh come on....how bloody stupid, when you can't say what you think.. ruled

Calls for Thompson's departure

Calls to axe Mr Thompson have grown since his controversial remarks.

He told Newstalk ZB's Mike Hosking on June 23 that women were paid less than men because they took more time off than men.

"Let me get down to tin tacks. The fact is women have babies. They take time out of their careers," Mr Thompson said.

"Look at who takes the most sick leave. Women do, in general, why? Because once a month they have sick problems. Not all women, but some do they have children they have to take time off to go home and take leave of...

"I don't like saying this because it sounds like I'm sexist but it's a fact of life."

Later that day he walked out of an interview with TV3's Campbell Live reporter Mihingarangi Forbes after a heated confrontation with the reporter about his comments.