By RNZ<\/strong><\/p>\n
Rocket Lab has been ordered to pay almost $100,000 for unjustifiably dismissing an engineer.<\/p>\n
Craig Owen joined the aerospace manufacturing company in early 2018 but his employment was terminated a year later over what the company says were performance issues, an Employment Relations Authority (ERA) decision said.<\/p>\n
Alleged failures include negligent record keeping, non-compliance with proper engineering processes, and mass disregard towards Rocket Lab’s policies.<\/p>\n
The ERA said it was a clear example of a company intentionally abusing its power to cause detriment to an employee.<\/p>\n
Rocket Lab, known for launching numerous satellites in space for commercial and government small satellite providers, then offered to pay Owen $10,000 to settle any claims he had against the company.<\/p>\n
Owen declined to sign the settlement agreement.<\/p>\n
The authority said his dismissal was unjustified and there were serious breaches of good faith.<\/p>\n
It has since ordered the company to pay Owen $65,000 in lost remuneration, $30,000 for distress and a penalty of $3000 dollars: a total of $98,000.<\/p>\n
Rocket Lab submitted Owen should not be entitled to remediation.<\/p>\n
It also submitted the proposed payout to be unfit as a long-term employment relationship was unlikely; there was no basis for imposition of penalty; and Owen’s termination of employment was a “one off” and therefore unnecessary for the authority’s recommendation to prevent similar employment predicaments in future.<\/p>\n
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