Key Takeaways
- A former Christchurch Boys’ High School teacher, Susan Mowat, has been awarded $25,000 in compensation for being unjustifiably disadvantaged by the school board.
- Mowat resigned from her role in 2019 after 18 years of service, citing bullying and false accusations.
- The Employment Relations Authority (ERA) found that the school board did not adequately address Mowat’s concerns and took a "shutdown approach" to her complaints.
- The ERA did not find that Mowat was unjustifiably dismissed, but acknowledged that the board’s actions had a significant impact on her wellbeing and reputation.
- The school board has accepted the ERA’s findings and is focused on moving forward, committed to fair and respectful employment practices.
Introduction to the Case
The case of Susan Mowat, a former teacher at Christchurch Boys’ High School (CBHS), has been making headlines after she was awarded $25,000 in compensation for being unjustifiably disadvantaged by the school board. Mowat resigned from her role in 2019 after 18 years of service, citing bullying and false accusations. The dispute between Mowat and the school board began in 2017, when a series of anonymous letters were submitted to the board, criticizing the school’s headmaster, Nic Hill. Hill believed that Mowat had written the letters, but an independent investigation was unable to conclude who had written them.
The Dispute and Investigation
The dispute between Mowat and the school board centered around the anonymous letters and the school’s handling of the situation. Mowat raised concerns about being blamed for things she had not done, but the board did not adequately address her concerns. The board took a "shutdown approach" to Mowat’s complaints, which was deemed unfair by the ERA. The ERA found that the board’s actions had a significant impact on Mowat’s wellbeing, reputation, and ability to work. The investigation into the anonymous letters was unable to conclude who had written them, but the board’s handling of the situation was widely criticized.
The Employment Relations Authority’s Findings
The ERA held a five-day hearing in April 2025, during which Mowat raised claims of unfair dismissal and unjustifiable disadvantage. The ERA found that the school board did not adequately address Mowat’s concerns and took a "shutdown approach" to her complaints. The ERA’s determination stated that the board’s actions were not consistent with the duty of good faith and were unfair. However, the ERA did not find that Mowat was unjustifiably dismissed, as there was no evidence that the board’s actions were intended to force her to resign. The ERA awarded Mowat $25,000 in compensation for the physical and mental symptoms she suffered during her final years of employment at CBHS.
Reaction to the ERA’s Findings
Mowat’s lawyer, Kathryn Dalziel, said that the ERA’s determination confirmed that Mowat had been unjustifiably disadvantaged by the school board. Dalziel stated that the board’s "shutdown approach" to Mowat’s concerns was neither fair, reasonable, nor consistent with an employer’s duty of good faith. Mowat hoped that the decision would encourage CBHS and all schools to reflect carefully on their responsibilities as employers, particularly during periods of conflict or complaint. The school board, on the other hand, was happy with the ERA’s findings and was pleased that the long-running employment matter had concluded. The board chair, Emily Flaszynski, acknowledged that the board had made a single procedural error, but was pleased that no other negative findings were made.
Conclusion and Implications
The case of Susan Mowat highlights the importance of fair and respectful employment practices, particularly in educational institutions. The ERA’s findings serve as a reminder to employers of their duty of good faith and the need to address employee concerns in a fair and constructive manner. The case also highlights the need for schools to have full and accurate records, particularly during periods of conflict or complaint. The $25,000 compensation awarded to Mowat is a significant recognition of the harm caused by the school board’s actions, and serves as a reminder to employers of the importance of treating employees with dignity and respect. Ultimately, the case of Susan Mowat serves as a reminder of the need for fair and respectful employment practices in all workplaces, and the importance of addressing employee concerns in a fair and constructive manner.