Saleswoman justifiably sacked after KFC spend-up

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A Tauranga sales manager fired for misusing her company credit card, including a large purchase at a fast food restaurant KFC, was justifiably dismissed, the Employment Relations Authority (ERA) says.

Kate Russell was sacked from dental equipment company Triodent Ltd in July 2009 after an internal investigation found she made unauthorised cash withdrawals and, on several occasions, purchased more petrol than her company car's fuel tank was capable of holding.

In October 2008, Ms Russell used her company card to buy 30 pieces of chicken, four mega chips, two mega potato and gravy, two mega coleslaw and three 1.5 litre soft drinks at Tauranga KFC.

She said she took the food to employees in Katikati, about a half-hour drive away.

Triodent said it found it "very unlikely" the food went to company employees, especially given one Katikati staff member was on annual leave and three others had no recollection of it.

After two disciplinary meetings Triodent fired Ms Russell for serious misconduct.

Ms Russell told the ERA she was unjustifiably dismissed and her actions were legitimate, honest and in the best interest of her employer.

ERA member James Wilson said it was not his role to judge the legitimacy of Ms Russell's actions, but rather to determine whether Triodent's investigation was full and fair.

"Ms Russell was justifiably dismissed from her employment at Triodent after a full and fair investigation had determined she was, on the balance of probabilities, guilty of serious misconduct," he said.

He said she had no grounds for personal grievance and would not be awarded compensation for hurt and humiliation.

- NZPA