but should have been better supported, union says
A youth worker who was wrongly dismissed from a Christchurch detention centre and will receive a “record” financial settlement should have been better supported by Oranga Tamariki, says the union that helped him win his appeal.
Stephen Baillie was fired from Rolleston’s Te Puna Wai o Tuhinapo Youth Justice Residence in September 2021 after it was alleged he behaved aggressively towards a resident, including raising a fist and unnecessarily restraining the young person.
His claim for unfair dismissal was rejected at an Employment Relations Authority (ERA) hearing in May , which concluded he was “justifiably dismissed”.
However, he successfully appealed the decision at the Employment Court on December 16. He will now be reinstated and receive financial remedies in excess of $100,000.
Link to video and article: Dismissed youth worker wins 'record' settlement of $100k, but should have been better supported, union says | Stuff.co.nz
