She said it was “unfair” for the business to withhold holiday pay entitlements.
“Our employer refuses to pay us what we are owed.”
She wanted to highlight the situation to warn others and “hopefully prompt the business owners to do the right thing”.
The Bay of Plenty Times agreed not to name the former staff, who left over six months for various reasons.
They claimed they were collectively owed at least $16,000 in holiday pay, and that numerous attempts to engage with their former boss had been “ignored”.
The complainants said they learned, in a letter from the Donaghys, that the business would be offered for sale.
One complainant said she was handed the letter two weeks after resigning.
“I felt very confused, blindsided….