Salinger sacking ruled justifiable

Climate scientist Jim Salinger's sacking was justifiable, the Employment Relations Authority says.

As a result of repeated breaches of work rules, Salinger's 27 years of "largely distinguished service" at the National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research (Niwa) "came to an unfortunate but inevitable end" in April, authority member Leon Robinson said.

"An employee who will not take instruction from his employer renders a continuing employment relationship entirely untenable."

Niwa had acted fairly and reasonably in dismissing Salinger, who had no case for a personal grievance against the organisation, Robinson said.

Salinger had sought payment of lost salary from his dismissal to April 25, 2012, when he was intending to retire, lost superannuation benefits of $104,000, $50,000 for hurt and humiliation, and payment of legal costs.

Salinger told The Press it was too early to decide what he would do next.

"I have got to reflect on the options; discuss it with my legal counsel," he said. "It's a pity that the decision went that way when I have been working very well with the Niwa senior climate scientists on climate issues."

Niwa chief executive John Morgan welcomed the decision after Salinger's "repeated breaches of Niwa policy".

"It is always disappointing when there is a breakdown in an employment relationship, particularly with a long-standing employee, and I am sure there are lessons to be learnt on both sides," he said.

Robinson said Niwa's evidence stated that for much of his employment, Salinger was "a diligent and productive employee".

"However, it says that over the last few years of his employment his behaviour began to deteriorate and at times became quite erratic," Robinson said.

"It says the deterioration manifested itself in a number of ways, including an apparent reluctance on his part to comply with various applicable policies, instances of harassment and bullying of other employees."

Salinger had contact with the media three times after he had been told he was no longer to be the media commentator on monthly climate summaries or climate outlooks, he said.

In February this year, Salinger had told Niwa communications manager Michele Hollis he "had been a naughty boy" after commenting on hot temperatures in Auckland, Robinson said.

It was that interview, along with "reports of other behaviour in the office", including altercations with staff and "inappropriate use of office facilities", that saw Niwa begin a formal disciplinary investigation.

Canterbury University mechanical engineering associate professor Susan Krumdieck, who worked with Salinger on a Royal Society of New Zealand panel, said Niwa's media policies sounded more appropriate to a "corporate" environment.

"These are supposed to be public scientists," she said. "Is Niwa a corporation or doing science for the public good?"

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