Richmond based newspaper publisher has been ordered to pay $30,000 to a former sales woman by the Employment Relations Authority (ERA).
The Employee's claims were upheld that she was bullied into having panic attacks and stress-related illness.
Suggestions from her boss that she was too old or unwell to do the job well, shouting at the her in front of others and confiscating her PC were all bullying actions. Her Employer refuted the fact that the stress was work related, but was actually caused by family issues.
A further incident which caused the firm to incur a $475 cost gave rise to the boss publicly berating the staff member in front of the other staff and deducting the amount from her wages.
The firm terminated her employment while she was on sick leave due to stress.
The ERA member found that the Employer's wide sweeping and generalised negative
statements made the Employee feel incompetent and disempowered. The ERA held the employee was unjustifiably disadvantaged and dismissed and awarded her $12,000 in compensation and $18,000 in lost wages.
If you are unsure how to handle bullying complaints or don't have a policy download our Bullying & Harassment eBook from the Employers Toolbox. Non members can purchase this publication here : www.employers.co.nz/workplace-bullying-and-harassment-product.aspx