KEY POINTS:
A breakfast radio DJ who claimed he was dismissed unfairly after a public bust-up with his manager has lost his case to get his job back and compensation.
John Dryden was dismissed by the Radio Network of New Zealand at Radio Forestland in Tokoroa on November 2 last year after he loudly challenged Mayor Neil Sinclair at a public meeting, refused to take instructions from his manager and called her "a joke".
Mr Dryden, who was dressed in clothing with the Radio Forestland logo, was at the meeting in Tokoroa in October when he called for the mayor to answer a question put to him by David Foote about council expenditure.
His manager Jennifer Shattock said she was embarrassed by his actions as local people recognised him and associated him with working at the radio station.
Ms Shattock chastised Mr Dryden as the mayor was a client of TRN and told him they would meet the next morning to discuss his behaviour.
She then instructed him not to discuss the meeting on air or interview Mr Foote until after they had met and discussed it.
Mr Dryden became angry and told Ms Shattock she was "a joke, just a joke" and contrary to her instructions not to talk about the meeting or interview Mr Foote, he did so the next morning. Following his shift the next day, Ms Shattock called Mr Dryden into her office and asked why he had deliberately ignored her instructions.
Mr Dryden became loud and angry and walked out of the office.
He was dismissed from his job a few weeks later.
Mr Dryden claimed his dismissal was unjustified and sought remedies including reinstatement, reimbursement of lost wages and compensation.
But the Employment Relations Authority found Mr Dryden's conduct out of working hours could impact on his employment where his behaviour was "manifestly injurious to the interests of the employer".
It found his conduct toward his manager was disrespectful and inappropriate in a public forum and could bring TRN into disrepute.
