Alasdair Thompson has been dismissed from the role of chief executive with the EMA following comments about female employees taking excessive sick leave due to their periods...
The board of the Northern Employers and Manufacturers Association (EMA) made the announcement that Thompson had been dismissed this afternoon.
Two weeks ago Thompson told Newstalk ZB that while there is a gender pay gap, people needed to “look at who takes the most sick days” to understand the reasons for it.
“Let me get down to tin tacks. The fact is women have babies. They take time out of their careers,” he said.
“Look at who takes the most sick leave. Women do, in general. Why? Because once a month they have sick problems. Not all women, but some do. They have children, they have to take time off to go home and take leave of …I don’t like saying this because it sounds like I’m sexist, but it’s a fact of life.”
The comments caused an outcry, with even Prime Minister John Key remarking that Thompson’s statements were “regrettable”.
Bruce Goldsworthy has been appointed acting chief executive.
Thompson had been on sick leave from his role at the EMA since the comments.
