A Rotorua-based Work and Income case manager and his employer are being taken to court by a beneficiary because the case manager swore at her, allegedly after she called him a derogatory name questioning his sexuality. Although the nature of the derogatory name has not been made public, 21-year old beneficiary Tara Marks has denied she used the word or phrase and, with the support of the Rotorua People's Advocacy Centre, is to make an application in the High Court for a judicial review of the matter as she is seeking compensation from the ministry. Marks is also seeking to have the case manager, who admits he swore at her, fired. Work and Income has reportedly apologised to her for any distress caused by the matter and has reminded its staff of the need for professionalism and courtesy.
Credit: GayNZ.com Daily News staff
First published: Thursday, 14th August 2008 - 12:51am