Student Wins Payout After Auckland Store Dismissal

An Auckland jewellery store employee and international student, Yucen Xi, received a $27,890 payout after the Employment Relations Authority found Silvertime Trading Limited unjustifiably dismissed her on 19 July 2025. The case involved claims of unfair treatment during a workplace meeting.

According to the Employment Relations Authority, Xi worked as a client advisor at Qeelin in Newmarket and was dismissed after a meeting with area manager Edwin Wu. The authority found the employer failed to act in good faith during the process.

The authority said Silvertime Trading Limited's conduct toward Xi was egregious and that the failure to act in good faith was deliberate, serious and sustained. Xi said the legal process was difficult but she continued to seek a ruling.

"I need to prove that even if I'm holding a student visa, I can still go for justice." Xi said, a chemistry master's student at the University of Auckland.

Xi told RNZ that the dismissal affected her mental health and created anxiety, depression, financial pressure and concerns about completing her studies. She also raised concerns about the lack of complaint channels available to her.

"I feel like Qeelin doesn't really care about this because every time we have issues, we need to directly report it to the manager," Xi said.

Xi said she had not been informed about official complaint procedures, had never met human resources staff and only contacted Qeelin head office for stock orders. She questioned the effectiveness of reporting concerns directly to the person involved.

"So if Edwin (the manager) is bullying us, we need to report it to him - that basically means nothing." Xi said.

During the 19 July 2025 meeting, ERA reviewed a transcript of the discussion recorded by Xi. The transcript showed Wu asked her to resign and referred to possible termination after alleged workplace concerns.

"The decision-maker" Wu said, referring to his role as store manager.

Wu also told Xi about warnings and choices during the meeting, according to the ERA transcript.

"Two warnings, including this warning I'll give you," Wu said.

"I give you two choices, first amicable separation - you resign yourself - second, two warnings are termination. Today you directly hand over the key," Wu said.

The transcript recorded Wu telling Xi about the consequences of resignation or termination, while Xi was later escorted from the store after mall security was called.

"If you resign, you give me the key…if you want termination, it will be done quite ugly." Wu said.

Anu Kaloti from the Migrant Workers Association said international students may face barriers when challenging workplace treatment. She said many students arrive after lengthy processes and may not know their employment rights.

"These are vulnerable members of our society here in Aotearoa and they may not necessarily be aware of their rights as employees," Kaloti said.

Kaloti said some students avoid challenging employers because they depend on work while studying. She said financial concerns can make workers tolerate unfair conditions.

"In many cases, even when they are aware of their rights, they don't dare to challenge their employer who may be treating them unfairly or exploiting them, they put up with situations of exploitation because they can't afford to not work at the same time as also studying here." Kaloti said.