Dismissal justified after party scam

The Employment Relations Authority has rejected a personal grievance claim for unjustified dismissal and ordered the former employee to pay costs of $4,500 to his ex-employer.

The employee was arranging an office Christmas party and his request for company funding for alcohol was refused.  It was alleged he asked a client to supply the alcohol and offered a purchase order so the client could claim the cost back from the employer.

The client contacted the company about the request and the employee was questioned about his conduct.  He originally accepted offering a purchase order, but changed his story to deny doing so.  His version of events changed again to the client requesting one.

The employer was concerned about his actions in asking the client to pay for the party alcohol as well as the lies in his response.  He was dismissed for serious misconduct.  The ERA agreed that the employer’s process was appropriate and the decision to dismiss was one a reasonable employer could make in the circumstances.

Alan Knowsley
Employment Lawyer
Wellington