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Truck driver dismissed following damage to his truck…

In a recent Employment Relations Authority decision a truck driver’s personal grievance claim for unjustified dismissal has been successful, but resulted in minimal awards.

The driver damaged his truck at least twice causing significant damage and repair costs.  He was stood down by agreement until the truck was repaired but was then dismissed without any proper process.

The failure to tell the driver it was conducting a disciplinary investigation, or what the allegations were, meant the dismissal was unjustified and $5,000 compensation was ordered.

This was reduced for the driver’s contributory conduct (causing the damage and traffic offences) to less than $2,000 plus legal costs.

No lost wages were awarded as the driver obtained alternative employment and earned more than he would have been paid in his old job.