Shop worker given $25K

A woman who lost her job after requesting time off for her daughter’s birthday and to take children to the dentist has been awarded more than $25,000 by the Employment Relations Authority.

Natasha Oswald started working in clothing retailer Pridewear’s shops on November 9, 2022.

At the end of December, she had to take a week off work due to illness. The next week, her grandmother died, the authority was told.

When returned to work on the Wednesday after her bereavement leave, she asked to swap her Friday, December 30 shift with another worker so she could spend the time with her daughter for her birthday.

Pridewear owner-operator Neela Patel told her to take the day off.

Patel said she asked Oswald to come in for a couple of hours to help manage new stock but could not reach her on the phone.

Oswald came back after the New Year break, and requested a change to her start and finish time that day, and a longer lunch break, to take her children to a dentist appointment.

Authority member Claire English said Patel was growing increasingly frustrated by what she saw as Oswald being repeatedly unreliable, working short hours, and repeatedly asking for time off after the roster had been issued.

Patel told Oswald via text that there was “no work for the rest of the week. I’ve got replacement staff in. I will try and catch up with you next week to discuss hours etc”.

Patel said she was busy and stressed, and the absences had cost her money. She said she would take Oswald off the roster, and wanted her keys back.

Oswald objected, and said Patel had agreed to be flexible when she hired her. She asked for clarification of the situation, and said she would drop the keys off once this happened. Patel took exception, and sent her a text message telling her she was trespassed from the shops. She said Oswald was dismissed instantly for refusing to return the keys.

Oswald told the authority she was surprised at her dismissal and struggled, experiencing anger, anxiety and stress, and found it difficult to put herself “back out there”.