Auckland chef told to sign an English-language letter that would end his job
A restaurant in Auckland has been ordered to pay more than $41,000 to a wok chef who was made redundant through a letter written in a language that he could not understand.
The Employment Relations Authority (ERA) found that the restaurant unjustifiably dismissed the chef. It did not consult him beforehand and gave no financial information to justify the redundancy.
The chef began working at the restaurant on 12 July 2021. A new director took over management of the business in 2023, and the chef said he signed a new employment agreement but never received a copy, despite asking for one.
After his wages started arriving late in January 2025, the director told staff on 24 January that the restaurant was in financial difficulty and asked the chef to sign a letter. The chef said the director told him that signing it would allow him to claim government benefits or welfare.
"[The chef] did not understand English and therefore could not understand the letter which was in English," the ERA said.
Once his wife had the letter translated, the chef realised it was a notice of redundancy. It said his role would be redundant effective from 20 January 2025, four days before he received it. His last working day was 1 February 2025.
The respondents did not lodge a statement in reply. The director had agreed to the investigation meeting date but did not attend.
ERA member...
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