The Employment Relations Authority (ERA) has thrown out a claim by a Central Otago youth group that alleged a former youth worker would be in breach of her contract if she contacted any young people in the area for six months after her employment ended.
Kerianne Burroughs had been employed by the Maniototo Youth Group. When she resigned in October last year, she was advised by her employer that she was not to contact any Maniototo youth for a six month period, otherwise action would be taken against her.
It is alleged Ms Burroughs met up with a group of young people outside a dairy in Ranfurly following her resignation. Her former employer also made reference to comments posted on Facebook.
The Maniototo Youth Group said Ms Burroughs' actions breached her employment agreement.
However, the ERA dismissed the claim by the Maniototo Youth Group, saying the application lacked reasonable grounds and was vexatious.
The ERA found there was nothing in Ms Burroughs' contract that prevented her from making any contact with young people in the area.
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