The TVNZ dismissal

Was TVNZ wrong to dismiss a security guard for haranguing Christine Rankin over her views on Maori and child abuse?

First of all EPMU national secretary Andrew Little is wrong to claim or imply that  the security guard did nothing wrong and was just expressing his rights as a citizen.  As a citizen Mr Rawnsley can write a letter to the editor, run a blog etc.  His rights don’t extend to confronting guests of his employer especially when as TVNZ CEO Rick Ellis says, his job is to “be the welcoming and safe face of TVNZ”.

However while Rawnsley was wrong, that doesn’t mean TVNZ was right to dismiss him outright for his actions.  Considering his length of service, 24 years, I am pretty appalled they didn’t just give him a warning.

Having said that, we don’t know the full details such as whether his language was more colourful than he claimed, or whether he was asked to apologise and refused.

But on the basis of the facts known at this stage, the sacking is an over reaction, just as Paul Buchanan’s was.