Dismissal for alleged dishonesty costs employer...

An employee has had his personal grievance for unjustified dismissal upheld by the Employment Relations Authority.  The employee was dismissed after a customer alleged she had been short paid by the employee.  The employer investigated and decided not to accept the customer’s complaint because it was denied by the employee, and the customer had signed a receipt for the full amount.

The customer threatened to take the matter to the Police if she was not reimbursed the alleged shortfall.  The employer, without any due process, fired the employee.

The ERA held that this was unreasonable and awarded lost wages and $6,000 compensation.  The employer was also fined $750 for failing to produce wage and time records when requested.

 

Alan Knowsley