Carrie O'Brien. Photo by Ican Models
A nanny who was fired by her Wanaka-based international
model employer has been awarded further compensation over her
unfair dismissal.
Kate Fisher cared for the five children of Carrie O'Brien, a
Wanaka-based American who has modelled for well-known
international brands including Georgio Armani, Donna Karan
and Chanel.
Ms Fisher was sacked by text in June 2011 after the children,
now aged 5-13, complained she swore at them and drove too
fast.
After losing her job, Ms Fisher went to the Employment
Relations Authority, which ruled in her favour in January,
awarding her almost $6000 for unfair dismissal.
In a further determination this month, Ms Fisher has been
awarded an additional $1750 in costs.
The amount was determined by the half-day hearing length of
the case, said ERA member Michael Loftus.
At the January hearing Mr Loftus found Ms Fisher was unfairly
dismissed because her employer failed to justify her decision
to terminate employment.
Ms Fisher had worked three or four afternoons a week for Ms
O'Brien and later took up cleaning duties too, but problems
quickly arose including claims raised by the children about
her driving and swearing, said Ms O'Brien in January.
On June 22, 2011, Ms Fisher was caring for the five children
and three others while the O'Briens went to dinner with
friends.
"There was some discord which led to both Ms Fisher and one
of the children telephoning Ms O'Brien during dinner
expressing their discontent,'' said the finding.
The next morning, Ms O'Brien texted Ms Fisher saying the
employment arrangement could not continue because it was too
hard.
At the January hearing Mr Loftus ordered Ms O'Brien to pay Ms
Fisher $4000 as compensation for humiliation and hurt
feelings and $1779 in lost wages.
Ms O'Brien said at the time she would not hire another nanny
without a written agreement.
Ms Fisher could not be reached for comment and Ms O'Brien did
not return calls.
