Tuesday, 13 August 2013

Not enough fuel in the employee’s truck leads to trouble…

An employee has been awarded over $16,000 after taking a personal grievance for unjustified dismissal to the Employment Relations Authority.

The ERA found that the employee truck driver was twice told to take his truck to a petrol station and ask for petrol on credit when there was not enough fuel to complete his deliveries.  He told his boss he was not happy “begging” for fuel and would not do it again. 

On the next run his truck was short of fuel he returned to the yard with some goods undelivered. His employer responded with a trespass notice banning him from the workplace!

The ERA held this to be an unjustified dismissal, and awarded lost wages, damages, and legal costs.

“Trespassing” your employees instead of carrying out a disciplinary process is not the correct way to go about it.  If you need assistance getting it right give me a call on (04) 473 6850.

 

Alan Knowsley

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