Serious misconduct: Air NZ employee fired for multiple security breaches

The Employment Relations Authority (ERA) has ruled that Air New Zealand acted within its rights in dismissing a former staff member for serious misconduct after she committed multiple security breaches at Auckland International Airport.

Jordyn Antonio-Rooney, who had been employed as a flight attendant since 2017 and recently transitioned to a crew support role, used her airport security clearance card to bypass Customs alongside her aunt while on their way to board a flight to Australia in June last year.

The ERA's decision stated that her actions amounted to serious misconduct, justifying her dismissal.

"I find that the actions committed by Ms Antonio-Rooney were not an isolated act of negligence, but the breaches were repeated and sustained," said ERA member Eleanor Robinson in her decision.

"Moreover, they were committed in full knowledge of the importance of the security requirements."

Multiple security breaches with Air NZ

According to the case details, Antonio-Rooney and her aunt were at Auckland International Airport when she decided to detour to the crew room after noticing a large queue in the main Customs area.

Using her airport security card, she swiped through an access point meant for staff, entering a restricted area that bypassed the Customs line.

Antonio-Rooney claimed that her actions were a mistake, telling the ERA that she believed the door she used would lead back to the Customs line.

However, the ERA decision cited evidence from Douglas Grant, a senior manager at Air New Zealand, who testified that the door had a glass window.

Grant asserted that it would have been clear to Antonio-Rooney and her aunt that they were bypassing the regular departure process.

Following the incident, Antonio-Rooney was questioned by airport staff, including Customs officers, and explained that she had mistakenly entered the wrong door.

Despite her explanation, airport security staff confiscated her security card, and an investigation was launched.

'One-off mistake' by employee?

Antonio-Rooney's defence before the ERA was that the incident was a "one-off mistake" and should not be classified as serious misconduct.

She argued that her actions did not significantly undermine the trust between her and Air New Zealand.

However, Air New Zealand's investigation concluded that the incident involved multiple breaches of security protocols, including allowing a member of the public to tailgate through secure access points.

Grant testified that despite considering a lesser penalty, he concluded that dismissal was appropriate due to the seriousness of the breaches and Antonio-Rooney's failure to adhere to protocols, given her extensive work experience.

The ERA ultimately found that dismissal was an option available to Air New Zealand as a "fair and reasonable employer" in the circumstances.

"I determine that Ms Antonio-Rooney was not unjustifiably dismissed by Air NZL," Robinson said.