Emily Barr complained about repeated belittling and dismissive treatment by her manager. Brooker Travel obtained an external investigation but then failed to adequately protect her, disclose the final report or provide a workable return-to-work plan. The ERA found unjustified disadvantage and constructive dismissal, awarding $20,000 compensation and six months' lost wages with associated entitlements.
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Results for unfair dismissal
Big B Cartage dismissed truck driver David Turner for serious misconduct after a seven-minute meeting without identifying the allegations or disclosing the text message relied on. The ERA found the dismissal unjustified and awarded $9,750 compensation after a 25 percent contribution reduction.
Yoga Limited ultimately admitted that Xiaomeng Feng's dismissal was unjustified, leaving the ERA to determine lost wages, compensation, contribution and a claimed good-faith penalty. The employer relied on performance and communication concerns to seek a reduction.
Electrician Brent Colyer was investigated and given a written warning by New Zealand Aluminium Smelters after a gantry-crane incident involving another employee. He later resigned, alleging both unjustified disadvantage from the disciplinary process and constructive dismissal.
Emma Baldwin returned to RJ Hospitality after parental leave to a dispute over rostered hours that had previously operated on a stable and regular basis. She challenged unilateral changes to that pattern and later claimed the breakdown of the relationship also amounted to dismissal.
Store manager Andrea Lawson challenged Luxottica's investigation and employment treatment after concerns were raised about store performance and policy compliance. Her case included disadvantage claims, dismissal allegations and an argument that the employer had failed to accommodate a medical condition.
Gregory Clarke was made redundant from Omni Health during financial and organisational change. The ERA accepted the commercial rationale and found no suitable redeployment role, but examined whether a series of consultation and process defects caused a separate unjustified disadvantage even though the redundancy itself was genuine.
Colin Bradshaw claimed he was dismissed after a confrontation during a removal job and a related pay dispute with Ocean To Alps. The ERA had to separate the alleged termination from the employer's subsequent handling of the incident, communications and unpaid hours.
