Rotorua Girls' High ordered to pay former caretaker $4000

Rotorua Girls' High School. Photo/File.

A Rotorua high school has been ordered to pay a former caretaker $4000 for failing to pay his wages and return his personal property.

The Employment Relations Authority has penalised Rotorua Girls' High School for two breaches of a settlement agreement with former caretaker Warrick Takahi.

The written determination of the authority, ordering the school's Board of Trustees to pay the $4000 penalty, was released earlier this month.

Takahi was employed in July 2014, but "for various reasons, the relationship between the parties deteriorated through 2016".

In March last year Takahi raised a personal grievance against the school alleging bullying before a settlement agreement was reached, ending the employment relationship.

On March 27 Takahi discovered all of his property had been removed from the caretakers' shed.

"He was advised that they had removed any property and placed it in a blue plastic bin and banana boxes kept at the office."

None of the property could be located, and another caretaker confirmed the property has been removed and dumped.

Takahi's final payment was also $61.28 less than the agreed amount.

He raised this with the school's executive officer Barbara Leckie who advised she had miscalculated his wage arrears and Novopay determined he was overpaid.

"She told him she could not do anything about this implying he had to accept the underpayment. Mr Takahi did not accept this.

"He sought legal advice and his lawyer sent a letter to Rotorua Girls' High School. A cheque for $61.28 was then forwarded to Mr Takahi on or about April 28 2017."

The written determination stated this was an intentional breach because the school had failed to remedy it until contacted by a lawyer.

The determination also stated the destruction of Takahi's property was intentional, and the school failed to keep the property secure.

Takahi was described as being "vulnerable".

"He relied upon RGHS to pay the correct wages on time and to keep his property secure.

"He has had to expend his own limited funds to recover wages and seek penalties."