Influencer Awarded $48,000 After Marketing Firm’s Redundancy Labeled a “Charade”
By Lions Roar News Legal Desk
AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND (January 12, 2026) — A digital marketing manager, lured away from a secure job due to her high-profile social media presence, has been awarded nearly $48,000 after the Employment Relations Authority (ERA) ruled her dismissal was a “charade.”
The woman, a fashion influencer with a significant online following, claimed she was headhunted by a competing marketing firm in 2022 with promises of a high-earning career, only to find herself out of a job less than two years later.
📉 From Headhunted to Redundant
The worker was originally approached while working for a large media business. Seeking the “right opportunity,” she accepted a role with a base salary of $120,000.
- The “Lure”: The woman argued she was induced to leave her secure employment by a director who promised a total package worth $200,000 through commissions.
- The Fallout: By early 2024, the company proposed disestablishing her role as part of a “team restructuring.”
- The Claim: She alleged that the role was misrepresented and that her eventual dismissal was unjustified.
⚖️ The ERA Ruling: A Predetermined Outcome
ERA member Antoinette Baker found significant flaws in how the company handled the woman’s exit. While the ERA rejected the claim that the $200,000 salary was “guaranteed,” it slammed the redundancy process itself.
- “Unseemly Haste”: The worker was given less than two days to provide feedback on the proposal to eliminate her role.
- Predetermined Language: Baker noted that the language used in the proposal letter suggested the company had already decided to let her go without considering redeployment.
- Lack of Consultation: The ERA concluded the process was not a genuine consultation but rather a “charade” designed to achieve a specific outcome.
“This was unreasonable and lacked any form of genuine consultation as required.” — Antoinette Baker, ERA Member
💰 The Financial Award
The Employment Relations Authority ordered the company to pay the following:
- $20,000 in compensation for the emotional and personal effects of the dismissal.
- $27,962 in lost earnings (representing three months of her base salary).
- Total Award: $47,962.
The woman was granted interim name suppression to protect her professional influencer brand and future career prospects in the marketing industry.
