KEY POINTS:
A pilot with 13 years' experience has won $5000 compensation after Air Nelson gave incorrect information about his health which resulted in him losing his valid medical certificate, grounding him.
The Employment Relations Authority was told that two incidents late in 2005 involving first officer Jonathon Neill led airline flight operations manager Captain Robert Guard to believe the pilot was suffering from stress.
He had an "off the record" discussion with Mr Neill in December 2005, at which he agreed to get his blood pressure checked and to take a "couple of weeks off".
During the meeting, Mr Neill referred to counselling he was receiving over a historical matter, not related to his health or employment.
Capt Guard did not ask for details of the counselling, saying he "did not want to pry".
He then told the Civil Aviation Authority that Mr Neill was receiving counselling for depression. Its response was to suspend and then withdraw his medical certificate.
Mr Neill told the authority he was "seriously disadvantaged" by the withdrawal of his medical certificate, which he would have to declare to any future employer.
The authority found that Capt Guard had formed a medical layman's view that resulted in the erroneous statement that Mr Neill was undergoing "psychiatric counselling".
He was subjected to unfair treatment by the airline, which had used inaccurate information at an "off the record" meeting with "serious and ongoing" consequences for Mr Neill, said presiding authority member Paul Montgomery.
He awarded Mr Neill the full $5000 he sought, saying the claim was "moderate" for an employee of 13 years.
- NZPA
