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A nail technician was dismissed during a purported 90-day trial after seeking advice about her employment rights. The employer had not complied with the notice requirement in its own trial clause.

Auckland Steam 'N' Dry raised performance concerns with Bridget Addy by text and threatened that she would not make it through a supposed three-month trial, although her agreement contained no trial clause. She resigned in response.

DQJ challenged an ERA decision refusing interim reinstatement after Inland Revenue ended her employment. The Employment Court had to decide whether preserving the employment relationship pending the substantive grievance was justified without deciding the ultimate merits.

Kaur Queens Trading labelled taxi driver Ashkan Vakilipour Takaloo an independent contractor, but controlled and integrated his work into its taxi business. The relationship broke down amid withheld wages, aggressive verbal abuse and cancellation of his ability to work out his notice.

Corrections dismissed prison officer Rakai Tawhiwhirangi for alleged unjustified use of force after an incident that also resulted in a criminal prosecution in which he was acquitted on self-defence grounds. The ERA examined the employer's independent investigation, the evidence available and the fairness of the serious-misconduct conclusion.

Stephen Nunn was dismissed by Port Nicholson Fisheries after investigations into crayfish compliance issues. The case examined the quality of two disciplinary investigations, including reliance on an earlier warning, withheld information, unseen CCTV material, suspension and whether alternatives to dismissal were considered.

Barber Raheel Reddy was dismissed by text after ongoing lateness and attendance concerns. Studio Image argued he had resigned or that termination was justified, but there had been no proper disciplinary process giving him a fair opportunity to answer the concerns.

Shaoqiang Chen worked long hours as a cook at Beached As Takeaways, was paid cash below lawful rates and later had his employment ended. The case involved employer identity, minimum-wage and holiday entitlements, record failures and the justification for dismissal.