A chocolate company worker said she was forced to quit her job for refusing to clean a grubby microwave oven.

Sharon Johnston alleged a pad and pen were thrown across a table at her, and she was told to put her resignation in writing.

She wrote "I quit" on a piece of paper and left.

However, her former employer, Napier's Silky Oak Chocolate Company, denied the allegation.

The Employment Relations Authority later threw out her claim.

It found Ms Johnston, a shop assistant, chose not to go back to work after talks with her lawyer.

The dispute began on January 23 when company co-director Jeanette Darwen asked Ms Johnston to clean the microwave.

Ms Johnston refused, later explaining she did not want to clean it after it was used by other people.

In the 24 hours before Ms Johnston resigned, four meetings were held over the microwave dispute.

In the meantime, someone else cleaned the microwave.

Manager Erica Darwen said Ms Johnston told them she would not clean up after others.

Ms Johnston denied saying that, but accepted cleaning the microwave was part of her duties.

On January 24, Ms Johnston was asked to put her notice in writing. The next day her lawyer wrote to Silky Oak, saying she would not be returning to work.

It was claimed she resigned because of the meetings.

Employment Relations Authority member Paul Stapp said Silky Oak was entitled to ask for Ms Johnston's notice in writing and there was no plan to force her to resign.

- © Fairfax NZ News