Driver gets $8000 for unjustified sacking

A forklift driver who was unjustifiably sacked has been awarded more than $8000 in lost wages and compensation.

Albert Thompson was hired by Northland-based Dundee Lumbar Limited in June last year to sort and stack timber in the company's yard, an Employment Relations Authority determination said.

He was fired on September 5, effective immediately.

The company's director, Murray Ferris, told the authority Mr Thompson had been employed on three-month probation and had had verbal warnings about his performance prior to being sacked. Mr Thompson denied being told he was on probation or that he had had previous warnings about his performance.

He said Mr Ferris became abusive during the dismissal conversation, making racial remarks about him.

Mr Ferris denied making racist comments, but admitted he had been abusive and personal, and said he probably called Mr Thompson a "useless c***".

The authority found Mr Thompson had never signed a contract with the company, and that there was no evidence he had received previous warnings about his performance.

It ruled that Mr Thompson had been unjustifi ably dismissed, and ordered the company to pay him $5040 in lost wages, and $3000 in compensation.

- NZPA