Logan Murray was employed at Owaka Motors Ltd as an apprentice mechanic in July 2021, but less than 18 months later he was unjustifiably dismissed, the Employment Relations Authority has ruled.
Mr Murray’s boss, Perry Moore, said the man had the potential to be a good mechanic, but "issues" arose during his tenure.
In November 2022, Mr Murray took time off work after a "significant event" in his personal life, the decision said.
During that period, another employee told Mr Moore that Mr Murray had lost his licence.
His contract specified a duty and responsibility of the position included a "requirement of employment to hold and maintain a current driver’s licence".
However, it was noted an administrative oversight meant he never signed and returned the contract he was given, despite working there for more than a year.
On December 6, 2022, Mr Murray sent a text to his boss, lining up a return to work, that read: "hey Perry I’ve tried giving you a call but you must be busy I need to get back to work so just let me know if
I’m good for tomorrow morning".
A few hours later, the boss replied: "no you need to think where your [sic] at as well as me have the rest of the week off talk Monday".
On December 12, Mr Murray had a meeting with Mr Moore and was fired.
The boss remembered telling him he was being dismissed for losing his licence.
"Mr Murray recalled Mr Moore abruptly said he was done and to take his toolbox and go home, with no mention of the licence issue," the decision said.
Authority member Lucia Vincent thought it was likely the licence issue had been brought up at the meeting.
Mr Moore believed Mr Murray’s role could not be carried out without a licence, but the employee argued he could still perform the role without one.
The pair did not discuss their stances on the issue at the time.
Ms Vincent found Mr Murray was unjustifiably dismissed because Owaka Motors Ltd did not follow correct procedural requirements nor comply with the duty of good faith.
"Although [Owaka Motors Ltd] could have reasonably raised concerns with Mr Murray about losing his licence, it did not do so in a fair and reasonable way."
Mr Murray also alleged he was discriminated against for his mental health and claimed at the meeting when he was fired the boss said "mental health was not a thing".
But the authority member dismissed this claim because Mr Murray’s written statement contained no mention of the exchange.
In a decision released this month, Ms Vincent ordered the company to pay Mr Murray $10,200 in compensation and $7393 for lost wages.
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