The "paying it forward" argument didn't save his employment

A marine painter's weekend favor to a fellow Freemason cost him his job after he was caught on camera wearing his employer's uniform.

Jason Blankenaar worked for Boatspray Limited, a boat maintenance business in Auckland's Half Moon Bay Marina. In November 2024, a mutual acquaintance connected him with Maxwell Mullin, who needed advice on repainting his boat. What started as guidance quickly turned into hands-on weekend work that would end his employment.

The situation unraveled on November 28, 2024, when Boatspray's manager Brian Kent received an unexpected email from the marina's hardstand manager. The message noted that Boatspray staff had been spotted working in the marina on weekends and reminded them to stay environmentally conscious. Kent was baffled since he hadn't authorized any after-hours work.

After reviewing CCTV footage from the marina, Kent identified Blankenaar working on Mullin's boat. On some occasions, he was wearing a shirt with the Boatspray logo.

When confronted on December 9, 2024, Blankenaar explained he was helping a fellow Freemason and insisted it wasn't actually work because he refused payment. He told managers he was "paying it forward for the Freemasons" and that Freemasons "do not deal in money," even offering to let them check his bank accounts.

The problem ran deeper than Blankenaar realized. Mullin had been a Boatspray customer for years, with the company completing ten previous...

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