Alasdair Thompson dismissed from EMA
Alasdair Thompson has been sacked as the chief executive of the Employers and Manufacturers Association (Northern).
Alasdair Thompson has been sacked as the chief executive of the Employers and Manufacturers Association (Northern).
Alasdair Thompson has lost his job leading the Employers and Manufacturers Association (Northern).
President of the EMA board Graham Mountfort said the decision to dismiss Mr Thompson was a direct result of the controversial comments he made about gender pay equality a fortnight ago.
Mr Thompson said on radio that it was simply a fact of life that women took more sick days, and were less productive - in part because of their "monthly" problem.
A decision on Mr Thompson’s future with the country’s largest employers association was stalled last week, as Mr Thompson was on sick leave.
But a decision was reached this morning.
“After having considered this matter for some time the board believes Mr Thompson is no longer able to continue as CEO of the organisation,” Mr Mountfort said in a statement.
“We regret that Alasdair’s role with the EMA is ending in this manner, especially considering the contribution he has made over the past 12 years.
“However under the circumstances the board has had to make this difficult decision.”
Bruce Goldsworthy remained the EMA’s acting chief executive.
The EMA suffered its first corporate casualty from Mr Thompson's comments last week when Air New Zealand withdrew its membership.