The Employment Relations Authority has ruled in favour of Vanessa Chandler, a former employee and close friend of Jody King, the sole director of Queenstown Local Laundry Services (QL).
Chandler was awarded nearly $60,000 after being found unjustifiably dismissed and subjected to a ‘unilateral breach’ of her employment agreement.
The dispute stemmed from a reduction in Chandler’s hours, leading to deteriorating relations and eventual termination. Despite attempts at resolution, the ERA concluded that QL failed to adhere to fair process requirements, causing significant harm to Chandler.
ERA member David Beck found no fair process was enacted prior to Chandler’s dismissal, in breach of the employment agreement and legal requirements.
‘Overall, I find … QL did not act in a fair and reasonable manner in all the circumstances and Ms Chandler was treated shabbily – the dismissal and/or redundancy process was enacted in a flawed manner and caused significant detriment.’
Image credit: Dan LeFebvre
