Man wins $6000 despite alleged threats to bosses

Photo / Martin Sykes

An electrical technician has been awarded $6000 for unjustified dismissal after allegedly warning of the damage he could do to his workplace.

The Employment Relations Authority ordered Waikato Institute of Technology to pay Barry Jones compensation for sudden, unexpected and "unjustified" dismissal.

He had worked at Wintec for 22 years when he was told the institute planned to outsource electrical work. As a result, his job would be "disestablished".

Following this, the ERA was told, he became aggressive and argumentative towards management.

Jones was offered the option of working for the successful contractor but was later told this option was offered to him mistakenly. Managers later admitted the option to work for the contractor should never have been offered to Jones.

After that, a staff member reported receiving threatening calls from Jones who allegedly said, "Could you imagine the damage I could do over the next couple of months?"

Jones denied making the threat, but because of fears for student safety, he was asked to leave immediately.

Jones took a personal grievance case against Wintec seeking $20,000 for lost wages, breach of his employment agreement and emotional distress.

The Employment Relations Authority awarded him $6000, saying Wintec's actions were not "fair and reasonable", but Jones had also contributed to his own difficulties.