The Employment Tribunal has ordered Maldives Pension Administration Office (MPAO) to compensate its former CEO, John Grindal, for failing to complete the due procedures in sacking him.
John Grindall was sacked as CEO of the Pension Office on October 12 last year. At the time, the Pension Office said he was dismissed over a disciplinary issue. However, it has been reported on social media that Grindall was fired over sexual harassment allegations.
Following his termination, Grindall filed the dismissal case with the Employment Tribunal in November last year. Grindall filed the complaint stating that he was not given a warning before being fired. In his complaint, he filed for reinstatement and six months' salary. He also sought compensation for the mental damage he suffered due to his reputation being tarnished.
On September 1, the Tribunal ruled that Grindall's dismissal was fair. Therefore, there is no place to order his reinstatement, the Tribunal said. However, as the due procedures were not completed when he was dismissed, the Tribunal ordered MPAO to pay Grindall an amount equivalent to one month's salary he was receiving when he was employed. This amount is USD 14,000 or MVR 215,880.
John Grindall
