PHOTO/FILE
GIANINA SCHWANECKE
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An Employment Relations Authority investigation into four workers’ claims about improper sterilisation of surgical implements and alleged workplace bullying at the Wairarapa District Health Board, scheduled to start earlier this week, did not take place.
The four staff members, who worked in the Central Sterile Services Department, were dismissed on June 9 after making the complaints.
Each staff member stated their dismissal was unjustified, claiming unjustified disadvantage and breach of the duty of good faith.
The lawyer representing the four workers, Jills Angus Burney, said the matter had been resolved to her clients’ satisfaction.
Asked if her four clients had been reinstated in their positions permanently, she said she could “make no further comment”.
“The ERA has issued a consent order continuing the non-publication of [the details].”
Early last month, the ERA ordered the Wairarapa DHB to temporarily reinstate the four staff members while an investigation into their claims was under way.
The hearing was supposed to be heard at the Copthorne Hotel and Resort Solway Park in Masterton on Monday.
A spokesperson for the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Enterprise which sits above the ERA confirmed that the meeting did not take place, but said they were unable to provide further comment for reasons of confidentiality.
The Wairarapa District Health Board did not respond to the Times-Age request for comment.
What’s that old saying about justice being “seen to be done”? Confidentiality agreements will always leave doubt in the minds of others that someone is getting away with something they should be outed for.