TechHR
ex
L&D
UNPLUGGED
Sphere
About Us • Contact Us
People Matters Logo
Login / Signup
People Matters Logo
Login / Signup
  • Current
  • Top Stories
  • News
  • Magazine
  • Research
  • Events
  • Videos
  • Webinars
  • Podcast

© Copyright People Matters Media Pte. Ltd. All Rights Reserved.

 

 

  • HotTopic
    LeadersSpeak
  • Strategy
    Leadership Csuite StrategicHR EmployeeRelations
  • Recruitment
    Employer Branding Appointments Permanent Hiring Recruitment
  • Performance
    Skilling PerformanceMgmt Compensation Benefits L&D Employee Engagement
  • Culture
    Culture Life@Work Diversity Watercooler SheMatters
  • Tech
    Technology HR Technology Funding & Investment Startups Metaverse
  • About Us
  • Advertise with us
  • Become a sponsor
  • Contact Us
  • Feedback
  • Submission Guidelines

Follow us:

Privacy Policy • Terms of Use

© Copyright People Matters Media Pte. Ltd. All Rights Reserved.

People Matters Logo
  • Current
  • Top Stories
  • News
  • Magazine
  • Research
  • Events
  • Videos
  • Webinars
  • Podcast
Login / Signup

Categories:

  • HotTopic
    LeadersSpeak
  • Strategy
    Leadership Csuite StrategicHR EmployeeRelations
  • Recruitment
    Employer Branding Appointments Permanent Hiring Recruitment
  • Performance
    Skilling PerformanceMgmt Compensation Benefits L&D Employee Engagement
  • Culture
    Culture Life@Work Diversity Watercooler SheMatters
  • Tech
    Technology HR Technology Funding & Investment Startups Metaverse
New Zealand worker wins $25K in office bullying case

News • 22nd Nov 2021 • 2 Min Read

New Zealand worker wins $25K in office bullying case

Employee Relations

Author: People Matters Editorial Team People Matters Editorial Team
1.4K Reads
The complainant believes she was subjected to events that made her feel unsafe, anxious and distressed because of the bullying of a senior member.
A woman in Auckland who reportedly endured bullying and unfair treatment from her boss has been awarded NZ$25,000 (approx. US$17,500) as recompense for her lost earnings and for her emotional distress, the Employment Relations Authority ruled.  
 
The ERA sided with Flora Liu who accused her employer at mechanical building services group Chillex Services of calling her "f***ing stupid" and "f***ing hopeless" and setting her at an "unjustified disadvantage" at work, the New Zealand Herald first reported. 
 
Liu was working as quantity surveyor for Chillex from January to June 2020, where she said she experienced numerous instances of bullying before she was allegedly forced out of the company. 
 
The complainant believes her departure was unjustified since she was subjected to events that made her feel unsafe, anxious and distressed because of the bullying of a senior member of the team.
 
Documents filed before the ERA showed Cam Crawford, director at Chillex, directing expletives at Liu in an email for supposedly having failed to use a certain format for her reports.
 
When Liu pushed back, Crawford purportedly said: "Absolutely f***king hopeless, Flora. Are you not listening, mate?? Are your ears painted on??" The email was said to have included Liu's managers and colleagues.
 
The next day, Crawford allegedly sent another group email telling Liu not to "f**k me around today as I am not in a good mood". In that same message, the director also purportedly said "plenty of people [are] looking for work" in the country. 
 
"We are looking for more savings, and culling staff numbers is a good place to start so I suggest you get on with it now," Crawford said, as seen in documents presented to the ERA.
 
As staff returned to working in the office in June last year, the director also allegedly yelled at Liu, calling her "f***king stupid". This prompted Liu to file her resignation letter because she felt "too humiliated and distressed". 
 
Liu, however, attempted to rescind her resignation and file a complaint instead, but was told the management had accepted her earlier decision to leave. At that point, Liu decided to take the case to the ERA.
 
The authority said the complainant had suffered from angst and humiliation arising from the workplace abuse. The profanities targeted Liu herself and were just unacceptable, according to ERA member Michael Loftus.
 
"A person should not be subjected to such behaviour and abuse in the workplace," Loftus said, adding that the content of the emails had "no justification" with their "allegations of being 'f***king hopeless'" and comments threatening to fire the recipient.
Read More

Did you find this article helpful?


You Might Also Like

2023 Layoffs: A timeline of major job cuts

NEWS • 23rd Mar 2023 • 14 Min Read

2023 Layoffs: A timeline of major job cuts

Employee Relations#Layoffs
JPMorgan to cut about 30 jobs in Asia Pacific

NEWS • 22nd Feb 2023 • 1 Min Read

JPMorgan to cut about 30 jobs in Asia Pacific

Employee Relations#Layoffs
McKinsey to slash 2,000 employees in major job cut

NEWS • 22nd Feb 2023 • 1 Min Read

McKinsey to slash 2,000 employees in major job cut

Employee Relations#Layoffs
NEXT STORY: What does a CEO appointed in 2021 look like?

Trending Stories

  • design-thinking-hr

    ‘Deskless workers’ are leaving – and you should be con...

  • design-thinking-hr

    Should remote work be a legal right – or a privilege?

  • design-thinking-hr

    Future of Work: 5 essential ways the workplace is changing

  • design-thinking-hr

    Should employers show their softer side on LinkedIn?

People Matters Logo

Follow us:

Join our mailing list:

By clicking “Subscribe” button above, you are accepting our Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy.

Company:

  • About Us
  • Advertise with us
  • Become a sponsor
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use

Contact:

  • Contact Us
  • Feedback
  • Submission Guidelines

© Copyright People Matters Media Pte. Ltd. All Rights Reserved.

Get the latest Articles, Insight, News & Trends from the world of Talent & Work. Subscribe now!
People Matters Logo

Welcome Back!

Enter your registered email address to login

Not a user yet? Lets get you signed up!

A 5 digit OTP has been sent to your email address.

This is so we know it's you. Haven't received it yet? Resend the email or then change your email ID.

People Matters Logo

Welcome! Let's get you signed up...

Starting with the absolulte basics.

Already a user? Go ahead and login!

A 5 digit OTP has been sent to your email address.

This is so we know it's you. Haven't received it yet? Resend the email or then change your email ID.

Let's get to know you better

We'll never share your details with anyone, pinky swear.

And lastly...

Your official designation and company name.