Sacked lending officer awarded 24 weeks wages

File photo / NZ Herald

A finance company lending officer has been awarded 24 weeks' wages and $8000 compensation after being unfairly dismissed from her job.

The Employment Relations Authority ruled Karyn Taiapa was unjustifiably dismissed by Aotea Finance Limited (AFL) after the company alleged she had breached policies.

Mrs Taiapa was fired from the south Auckland-based loans business in April following an investigation into complaints about her conduct.

They included complaints that brokerage fees had been charged to clients when no broker was involved in their application, fees charged were higher than company policy, a loan was approved above her lending authority and procedures were not followed when having a loan document signed.

After an investigation and hearing into Ms Taiapa's response to the allegations, managing director Terry Cooke decided to dismiss her on seven grounds.

However authority member Robin Arthur said nothing in the written or oral evidence confirmed any wrongdoing by Mrs Taiapa.

The company had used three minor issues as reasons for a dismissal which was really motivated by other unsubstantiated allegations, the determination said.

The authority found a fair and reasonable employer would not have considered there was clear evidence to support dismissal.

Mrs Taiapa gave evidence of feeling humiliated over the allegations, and losing confidence, which affected her family life and performance in job interviews.

She was awarded 24 weeks' lost wages and $8000 in compensation for humiliation and distress.