An Auckland publishing company employee who was repeatedly teased about his sexuality has been awarded more than $7,000 for hurt feelings and unjustifiable dismissal. An Employment Relations Authority decision released today said Jason Cunningham had worked at Ponsonby-based Action Media for only a month last year before resigning - and then being suspended before he could work out his notice. According to an NZPA new story his boss, Sean Mitchell, had taunted Cunningham about being gay, and copied his mannerisms around the office. The ERA found in Cunningham's favour, ruling that Mitchell's conduct was "infantile" and that the resulting situation was "his own fault". More on this story from the NZPA, and The Employment Relations Authority website are on the links below. [Editor's note: A subsequent GayNZ.com story giving the employer's point of view appears on the link below.]