Bus driver's sacking ruled unfair

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A bus driver fired for being repeatedly late for work was unfairly dismissed because the disciplinary process was held in a bus, not an office, the Employment Relations Authority (ERA) has ruled.

Nick Temarama was dismissed as a part-time staffer at Mana Coach Services in Wellington on February 25 after two official warnings for being late and failing to report his lateness to management.

Mr Temarama said he was unjustifiably dismissed and both parties agreed to an investigation.

At a disciplinary meeting in March, Mr Temarama said he was 15 minutes late because of road works. Wellington City Council records showed no road works in the area that day.

The ERA found Mr Temarama's terms of employment stated that "disciplinary interviews and warning procedures shall be invalid unless conducted within the privacy of a closed office".

The meeting was held in a bus because of staff training in the office.

ERA member Denis Asher said while Mr Temarama was unfairly dismissed, he was not entitled to his job back, lost wages or compensation.

- NZPA