An Auckland barber has been awarded more than $24,000 in lost wages and compensation after his employer fired him via text message while he was out looking for a replacement car.
The Employment Relations Authority (ERA) ruled that Raheel Reddy was unjustifiably dismissed by his employer, Studio Image Limited (Studio Image).
The ERA found that the company failed to follow basic standards of fairness, when its sole director, Sidhant Thapa, abruptly ended the employment relationship in September 2024.
Reddy began working as a barber at Studio Image’s Auckland barbershop in May 2023, usually working Monday to Friday. On 10 September 2024, he was involved in a car accident on the motorway that resulted in his vehicle being written off.
The following week, on 17 September 2024, Reddy text Thapa ahead of his morning shift to advise he would be late because he was viewing a replacement car. He expected to be away for one or two hours.
