Ex-trolley pusher still job hunting

An intellectually disabled Bunnings worker sacked for taking a bottle of drink is still unemployed.

Seaton Clark, 46, managed the trolleys at Bunnings Warehouse in Shirley for over seven years, until he was fired in September.

Following publication of Clark’s alleged ‘unfair dismissal’, offers of employment and legal advice came in from a handful of Christchurch businesses.

However, his father James Clark said he had ‘‘struggled to get on to them’’. Clark said he phoned the company behind a self service car and dog wash which had offered work but had not been able to make contact with the owner. Phone messages left with a further two prospective employers were never returned.

‘‘I rang these people a number of times and then gave up because I didn’t make contact with them … I left voicemails on several occasions with others.’’

Whether it was just a case of bad timing, his son’s boredom was growing by the day. ’’He’s sitting round doing nothing.’’

‘‘At the end of the day he can’t read and write and he is intellectually disabled as well ... he would have to have a very understanding employer to give him a job.’’

Seaton Clark had taken the bottle of fizzy drink left on a locker, and put it in his bag. He later put it back and apologised to the person who owned it.

Bunnings Warehouse New Zealand general manager Jacqui Coombes said in a statement in October, the company ‘‘value our team and out of respect for both current and past team members, it’s not appropriate for us to share further information. We have been in touch with Seaton and his family and we will ensure appropriate support is given to him.’’

James Clark had sought advice from employment advocate Robert Thompson, of I R Thompson Associates.

Robert Thompson said he hoped Bunnings would agree to mediation.

‘‘At this stage two grievances have been raised; an unjustified dismissal and unjustified disadvantage’’.