KEY POINTS:
A man who left his job after his boss said he was broke and "it was all over" - then drove past days later to see work continuing as normal - has won $30,000 compensation.
Daniel Pech worked as project manager for Keith Wagner, who dreamed of running a pirate ship-themed restaurant in Manukau City.
Pech lost his job just before Christmas 2004, when Wagner - who was legally blind and dying of cancer - rang to say "he was broke and could not go on with the project, and that it was all over".
Pech believed his boss, and picked up his final pay the next day.
But just days later he drove past to see work continuing as normal on the restaurant, on Great South Rd.
The restaurant opened in late 2005 but has since closed.
After a three-year battle, the Employment Relations Authority last week ruled Pech was unjustifiably dismissed, and awarded just over $30,000 to cover lost wages, compensation and interest.
Pech could not be contacted yesterday, but authority member Leon Robinson said in his decision that Pech had found a new job in building and roadworks.
Three of Wagner's four companies were liquidated last year.
He could not be contacted by the authority or the Herald on Sunday.
Wagner told One News last year he was desperate to keep his dream alive, and wanted someone to take over the restaurant he spent 10 years building.
He spent $2 million setting up ship - inspired by a trip to Disneyland 20 years ago.
"It's a wonderful feeling having got there, but it's taken too many years out of my life," Wagner told One News. "But I will get joy today when the kids come in tonight."
