Business as usual: Institute | Rotorua News | Local News in Rotorua

Waiariki Institute of Technology says its nursing school has been performing well - "business as usual" - despite an employment row that saw two of its managers unjustifiably sacked.

Human resources director Richard Bird said interim management arrangements were quickly put in place when Helen Manoharan and Ann Robinson were dismissed in June.

He said deputy chief executive John Snook was appointed acting director for the school and a senior human resources person was put in place as the acting school administration manager.

"They have pulled the staff and the management within the school together and the school is performing very well. It is business as usual."

The Nursing Council was kept informed and was satisfied with arrangements.

"Whilst we wanted to recruit permanent replacements to these roles, we have put those recruitment plans on hold until we have resolved the personal grievances that have arisen from this situation."

He said he did not believe students had been adversely affected.

Dr Pim Borren would not be reprimanded for his handling of the cases despite the Employment Relations Authority ruling he was unjustified in dismissing the women and finding him in contempt of its investigation.

"It is our view that Dr Borren was acting throughout in the best interests of the institute and was guided by external professional advice in his handling of the situation. It is true the finding of unjustified dismissal went against the organisation, but this was on procedural grounds. The ERA finding confirmed that there were reasonable grounds for Dr Borren's concern about the actions of the employees involved.

Mr Bird said Waiariki was committed to continuous improvement but it was too early to put changes in place.

"The outcome of the ERA's consideration of this issue is not yet completely clear as further mediation has been requested. When there is some finality in the matter we will have a better sense of any actions that may be needed to specifically address the ERA's concerns and to ensure these do not arise in the future."

Mr Bird said there was some frustration about the authority directing both parties back to mediation rather than determining remedies, including possible reinstatement.

"This means we are not in a position to put in place permanent replacements for Mrs Manoharan or Mrs Robinson or make any further management changes within the school to support its ongoing success."