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http://www.stuff.co.nz/business/better-business/9412455/Nurse-accused-of-violence-rightfully-fired
... And blames racism instead of her own behavior for being fired.
A Palmerston North nurse who allegedly slapped and punched a patient but insists she did nothing wrong was rightfully dismissed, the Employment Relations Authority (ERA) has found.
Thankamma Geevarghese was employed by Mid Central District Health Board (MCDHB) at Palmerston North hospital in 2005.
She was appointed to a ward that provided assessment, treatment and rehabilitation for older patients, including those with mental health issues.
During a weekend in November 2011 when Geevarghese was on duty, MCDHB received three written complaints about her behaviour on the ward.
The allegations included that Geevarghese had been "having inappropriate interaction with client such as yelling, slapping, punching and pulled his ears, slapped his face" and had "called the patient's name then started to slap the patient in the face twice, then she started to hit him in the chest."
The next week, her supervisor raised the matter verbally with her, and later wrote to her about the allegations.
A meeting followed to hear her initial response. After this meeting, it was decided a formal investigation would be required.
The investigation found that Geevarghese had delivered inappropriate care to the patient and that she had slapped the patient.
She was dismissed in February 2012.
Geevarghese denied the conduct alleged and insisted she had not slapped the patient. She said the allegations had been motivated by "racism and bullying".
She claimed the MCDHB's investigation and disciplinary procedure was flawed, and sought reinstatement, compensation for lost wages from the date of dismissal, compensation for hurt and humiliation, and costs.
The ERA did not accept her claims or that the MCDHB's process was predetermined and biased against Geevarghese.
It said the MCDHB came to the honestly held opinion that Geevarghese more likely than not did slap the patient, and her denial was not being honest about her actions.
Dismissal was in the range of options for that offence, the ERA said.
... And blames racism instead of her own behavior for being fired.
A Palmerston North nurse who allegedly slapped and punched a patient but insists she did nothing wrong was rightfully dismissed, the Employment Relations Authority (ERA) has found.
Thankamma Geevarghese was employed by Mid Central District Health Board (MCDHB) at Palmerston North hospital in 2005.
She was appointed to a ward that provided assessment, treatment and rehabilitation for older patients, including those with mental health issues.
During a weekend in November 2011 when Geevarghese was on duty, MCDHB received three written complaints about her behaviour on the ward.
The allegations included that Geevarghese had been "having inappropriate interaction with client such as yelling, slapping, punching and pulled his ears, slapped his face" and had "called the patient's name then started to slap the patient in the face twice, then she started to hit him in the chest."
The next week, her supervisor raised the matter verbally with her, and later wrote to her about the allegations.
A meeting followed to hear her initial response. After this meeting, it was decided a formal investigation would be required.
The investigation found that Geevarghese had delivered inappropriate care to the patient and that she had slapped the patient.
She was dismissed in February 2012.
Geevarghese denied the conduct alleged and insisted she had not slapped the patient. She said the allegations had been motivated by "racism and bullying".
She claimed the MCDHB's investigation and disciplinary procedure was flawed, and sought reinstatement, compensation for lost wages from the date of dismissal, compensation for hurt and humiliation, and costs.
The ERA did not accept her claims or that the MCDHB's process was predetermined and biased against Geevarghese.
It said the MCDHB came to the honestly held opinion that Geevarghese more likely than not did slap the patient, and her denial was not being honest about her actions.
Dismissal was in the range of options for that offence, the ERA said.