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Rotorua Lakes Council summarily dismissed recreation planner Richard Lyons after repeated absences and failures to communicate. Its own code classified the conduct as misconduct subject to a progressive warning process, rather than serious misconduct warranting immediate dismissal.

Pulse 2012 dismissed Mr Stewart after alleging he had prepared food for himself at the workplace while recorded as working, in a dispute that also involved allegations of theft. The ERA examined whether the evidence and disciplinary response could justify dismissal.

Lita Beattie worked as Head Chef/Kitchen Manager in a relationship the respondent treated inconsistently and left with significant wage arrears. The ERA had to determine employee status, unpaid entitlements and whether employer conduct forced her resignation.

ERA costs usually start from a daily tariff, but successful employees can seek an uplift where the employer's conduct unnecessarily increased the work, hearing time or expense of the proceeding.

PR Kahlon had genuine, documented concerns about delivery driver Mandeep Singh's performance and safety, but knew English was a serious barrier and still used English for critical disciplinary communications rather than Punjabi. His suspension and dismissal followed without a clear opportunity to understand and answer the case against him.

Chef OAS told JIK Limited he needed time away from work after family violence affecting his children, including meetings with victim support and steps toward a protection order. The employer treated his messages as resignation or abandonment and omitted him from the next roster.

IRD dismissed ZZP for medical incapacity after a lengthy absence and failed return-to-work attempt. The ERA accepted the employer had allowed a reasonable recovery period and could treat later medical evidence cautiously, but the final decision introduced concerns ZZP had never been asked to address.

Timber Town Harvesting summarily dismissed Mr Brown after relying on an earlier workplace incident and disputed warnings. The case examined whether the reasons actually relied on were properly put to him and whether he had been given a meaningful opportunity to understand and correct the employer's concerns.