New Zealand unfair dismissal (unjustified dismissal) case summaries from the Employment Relations Authority (ERA), explaining key facts, outcomes, and lessons for employees and employers.
These unfair dismissal (unjustified dismissal) case summaries cover Employment Relations Authority (ERA) decisions from across New Zealand. Each case highlights the facts, the Authority's reasoning, and the outcome, so you can see what tends to help or hurt a dismissal justification.
If you are dealing with a dismissal dispute, these examples can help you understand common errors in process, the standard of reasonableness applied, and typical remedies where a dismissal is found to be unjustified.
![Rimple Rimple v NZ - Kebabs Limited, Rupinder Kaur Bal, Gursahib Singh Dhillon, and Harpal Bal [2026] NZERA 128 - premium sought for AEWV role; abandonment dismissal unjustified after visa cancellation; $22,620 lost wages, $14,000 compensation, $16,000 penalty plus entitlements](/Images/site/EmploymentAdvocatesAucklandCard.jpg)
A Rotorua kebab restaurant recruited Rimple Rimple from India on an AEWV, with evidence that a director sought a $34,000 payment to secure the job. After visa difficulties the employer treated him as having abandoned employment and stopped providing work.
Thomas Kenna was made redundant from Anztec after a restructuring that the ERA accepted had a genuine business basis. He challenged alleged predetermination and the employer's failure to proactively disclose information needed to understand and respond to the proposal.
Retail assistant Gemma Pedersen was dismissed by WhatsApp/email during a six-month probation period for allegedly missing sales KPIs. She said she had not received the promised practical training and had never been put through a genuine performance process before termination.
After 18 years at Radio Waatea, senior journalist and editor Adam Gifford was selected for redundancy in a restructure merging English and Māori newsroom functions. The employer had genuine business reasons but did not fairly disclose key proposal information, clearly identify his role as at risk or consult over redeployment.
Robert Tunnicliffe could not perform his ordinary driving duties and Solly's Freight placed him on alternative work while a limited-licence issue was being worked through. The relationship deteriorated over who should progress and pay for the licence application, and Solly's dismissed him on 24 April 2024.
LJB had already resigned and was working out one month's notice when EBD's HR manager called her to a meeting, told her to clear her desk and sent her away before the notice period expired. No allegations or supporting material had been put to her in advance and she had no genuine opportunity to respond.
Melissa Williams was dismissed after a single day driving for S & M Haulage, which believed a 90-day trial applied and had genuine safety and resourcing concerns about her readiness for the role. The ERA examined whether there was a valid trial clause and whether she was given any chance to respond before termination.
Jack Wills worked at Complex Forme without a written agreement and was not paid for 32 hours of work. After he sought clarity about pay and rostering, the employer stopped responding, removed his access and ceased providing work.
