Wellington bus company to pay sacked driver $30K

Published 18 April 2023 | 2 min read

Dismissal was based on an accusation of failure to report an accident, which ERA found unjustified.

Unfair dismissal at work is a common occurrence, and the emotional toll it takes on the employee is devastating. When people are dismissed from their jobs, it can lead to feelings of sadness, shame, and uncertainty.

A recent article in NZ Herald reports on the case of a Wellington bus driver who was fired from his job of 20 years after his employer accused him of failing to report an accident. The driver took his case to the Employment Relations Authority (ERA) and sought compensation for lost wages, hurt, and humiliation. The ERA heard that the driver was dismissed for failing to report an accident when his bus connected with a lamp post, and a window on the bus was broken. The bus driver was adamant he was not aware of the damage and that his dismissal was unjustified.

The ERA recently ordered the bus company to pay the driver more than $30,000 for unfair dismissal, hurt, and humiliation. The decision by the ERA shows that unfair dismissals can be overturned and that employees have the right to fight for justice. The decision is a victory for workers who have experienced unjust dismissals and feel that they have no recourse.

The ERA decision gives hope to employees that they have a way to fight for their rights and seek compensation for the wrongs they have suffered. It also sends a clear message to employers that they must be careful when dismissing employees and follow the correct procedures.

If you are an employee who has been dismissed unfairly, you can take your case to the ERA. The ERA is an independent body that hears cases of employment disputes, and its decisions are legally binding. The ERA has the power to order reinstatement, compensation, and other remedies. If you believe you have been dismissed unfairly, you should seek legal advice and consider taking your case to the ERA.

ERA Decision

1. The ERA recently ordered a Wellington bus company to pay a sacked driver more than $30,000 for unfair dismissal, hurt, and humiliation.
2. The driver was dismissed for failing to report an accident when his bus connected with a lamp post, and a window on the bus was broken.
3. The driver was adamant he was not aware of the damage, and his dismissal was unjustified.
4. The ERA decision gives hope to employees that they have a way to fight for their rights and seek compensation for the wrongs they have suffered.
5. If you believe you have been dismissed unfairly, you should seek legal advice and consider taking your case to the ERA.