New Zealand Customs Service is considering an appeal of an order to pay a former employee nearly $250,000, following his sacking after 22 years service.Customs spokesman Rowan McArthur said the service was “unhappy” with an Employment Relation
New Zealand Customs Service is considering an appeal of an order to pay a former employee nearly $250,000, following his sacking after 22 years service.
Customs spokesman Rowan McArthur said the service was “unhappy” with an Employment Relations Authority determination and a final appeal decision would be made “shortly.”
This came after a four-day Employment Relations Authority investigation over a dispute with former Bangkok-based customs liaison office Douglas Alo.
Mr Alo was sent to Bangkok, Thailand, as part of a post 2004 tsunami relief effort.
According to the ERA he was exposed to traumatic scenes and experiences, which led to depression, post traumatic stress disorder and alcohol abuse.
Mr Alo told the ERA these factors created a situation that led to events that gave rise to a disciplinary investigation that led to his sacking.
Following its investigation the ERA ordered Customs pay nearly $250,000 in lost salary and compensation.
