A memo telling Pak'nSave workers at the Northlands Shopping Centre that workplace accidents could be used against them during wage reviews has prompted union criticism.
A union leader said the memo, leaked to The Press by an incensed worker, could stop staff reporting genuine accidents.
Store owner Stephen Boock posted an all-staff memo on a "spate" of workplace accidents resulting from carelessness, risky behaviour, a casual attitude to safety and "sheer stupidity".
While the memo acknowledged genuine workplace accidents, it said their frequency would be recorded in employees' personnel records to be considered during wage reviews.
National Distribution Union national secretary Laila Harre said the supermarket was not yet unionised, but news of the memo would speed action in contacting store workers.
"This sort of action by an employer and their approach to health and safety is a concern," she said.
"We would not tolerate this in the union. Anything that reduces the incentive to report workplace accidents is just stupid."
Boock said he was unapologetic about the memo.
"We are required by law to provide a safe workplace and we are responsible for the training and safety of all our employees," he said.
"This is the right thing to do. Along with many other criteria, annual staff reviews include adherence to workplace safety practices. Anything we can do to minimise harm to our employees we will do, and we do so unapologetically."
Buddle Findlay partner and employment law specialist Kerry Smith said given the penalties that could be imposed on employers under the Health and Safety and Employment acts, he was not surprised Boock posted the memo.
"To use an accident record as part of a staff review is, in my opinion, legitimate. Whether it makes for good industrial relations is a moot point," he said.
Supermarket staff declined to comment.
