$6000 compensation for demotion

A woman who lost her post during restructuring and was offered what she considered a lower status job has been awarded $6000 compensation by the Employment Relations Authority - half of what she sought.

Vanessa Horo-Kiriwera, operations manager for Auckland Maori community health services organisation Te Ha O Te Oranga O Ngati Whenua (Te Ha), was offered the new post after a review of the group's structure in mid 2005 by general manager Anaru Kira.

Mrs Horo-Kiriwera took stress leave and moved to Sydney.

She lodged a personal grievance claiming Mr Kira's actions were unjustified and had disadvantaged her employment.

The demotion "has left her feeling embarrassed around staff, especially those it was her previous responsibility to manage", her lawyer said.

Authority member Marija Urlich ruled that Te Ha had not given any compelling reason why the restructuring had to be implemented so quickly and at the expense of its obligations to Mrs Horo-Kiriwera.

Ms Urlich found Mrs Horo-Kiriwera did not contribute to the circumstances leading to her grievance.

- NZPA