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Recurring factual and procedural mistakes seen in ERA disputes, including poor records, unclear allegations, rushed dismissals, weak redundancy consultation and failures to prove loss or mitigation.

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.

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.

Minimarc Childcare dismissed ECE teacher Fatima Fahmy for performance after its centre manager remained the principal evaluator despite known relationship and bullying complaints. The ERA found the assessment was not sufficiently objective and ordered reinstatement, lost wages and $25,000 compensation.

Deborah Coley's agreement guaranteed at least 32 hours each week, but Bupa sought to vary that guarantee by averaging hours across a six-week roster and presented redundancy as the alternative if she refused. A later disciplinary investigation and written warning added a second strand to the disadvantage claim.

VLN brought claims about employment status and minimum employment standards arising from work at properties associated with Elizabeth and Kim Dotcom. With possible extradition affecting witness availability and enforcement, VLN sought urgent removal of the whole proceeding from the ERA to the Employment Court before the Authority investigation occurred.

Conner Powell was made redundant by OH and N Contracting as forestry work wound down and no replacement work had been secured. The ERA accepted that business pressure was genuine but examined whether the employer consulted before deciding the redundancy and complied with notice and record obligations.