A tow truck driver who was fired twice in two days has been compensated more than $8000, after winning a case for unjustified dismissal.
Keith Taafuli was employed by Lower Hutt wrecking firm Mega Wreckers last February, driving a truck and collecting vehicles the company had purchased.
According to the Employment Tribunal decision, Taafuli was first dismissed by manager Mohamad Hossaini in mid-March, when he questioned why he had not been paid back-wages. The next morning the same manager called him and asked if he could return to work.
When reminded he had dismissed Taafuli the previous day, Hossaini said they would “work something out”.
Hossani asked Taafuli to go purchase a vehicle, and to use his final wages to pay the customer.
A disagreement then ensued over how much had been paid for the car. Despite a signed receipt for $300 dollars, the customer claimed she was paid only $200.
The company sacked Taafuli, for alleged dishonesty.
Authority member Trish MacKinnon found Taafuli did not contribute to the situation leading to his dismissal.
“I am not persuaded that he gave the customer only $200 for her vehicle in light of the receipt she signed acknowledging she had received $300.”
The authority found for Taafuli, ordering the company to pay him $603 for wages arrears, $142 for unpaid holiday pay, $1661 in reimbursements, plus $6000 in compensation.
Mega Wreckers was also ordered to pay a $750 penalty into a Crown account.
