Media interest 'not enough to suppress sacked man's name'

File photo / NZH

A man who was fired from his job after committing a crime has lost his bid to have his name suppressed during an Employment Relations Authority case into whether his dismissal was justified or not.

Matthew Bourne argued there would be a high probability of media interest in the case and if he was named in the press he would be effectively be punished twice.

Mr Bourne's offending was not related to his job with BOC Limited, but after he was convicted and sentenced to three months home detention, his employment was terminated.

His offending was not reported on at the time.

He told the ERA the disadvantage he was likely to suffer as a consequence of his name being disclosed far outweighed any benefit to the public.

The information would be a barrier to him finding future employment.

BOC Ltd said Bourne's offending was already in the public domain because he had told details of his crime to workmates and he would have to disclose his criminal record to any future employer.

ERA member Dzintra King said she understood the matter would be embarrassing for Mr Bourne should his name be made public.

"(But) he has chosen to litigate.

"I understand the issue of access to justice that has been raised by the applicant, but in the circumstances of this case any concerns the applicant has about disclosure do not override the principle of open justice."

- NZPA