An accounts payable clerk in New Zealand will have to pay her former employer’s legal fees after suing the company for replacing her job with accounts payable automation technology.
According to an article published by New Zealand web site Suff.co, the plaintiff in the suit was a former accounts payable clerk for Air New Zealand. Back in 2002, the airline overhauled its accounts payable operation, streamlining and automating many of their processes. As a result, the clerk was laid off.
Shortly after, she took the case to the Employment Relations Authority, where she accused Air New Zealand of terminating her employment unfairly and of bullying. When she lost that case, her appeal was heard at the Employment Court. The earlier judge’s ruling was upheld.
The recent decision by Judge Tony Couch ends a five-year legal battle, four of which the plaintiff represented herself. Judge Couch dismissed the plaintiff’s accusations of unfairness and bullying and ordered her to pay $65,000 to cover Air New Zealand’s legal fees.
