Thompson decision delayed by "unforeseen circumstances"

Friday 1st July 2011

The Employers and Manufacturers' (Northern) Association says the process to decide the future of embattled chief executive Alasdair Thompson's future has been delayed by forces beyond its "control".

Thompson remains on leave -- with reports he has been hospitalised -- following his comments last week that women's productivity was linked to their menstruation.

The comments sparked outrage and calls for Thompson to resign.

EMA spokesman Gilbert Peterson told NZPA today the decision on Thompson's future was on hold for the moment.

"The process that the board has adopted has been delayed by unforeseen circumstances which are beyond EMA's control and over which we have no influence," he said.

He said the board wanted to come to a decision as soon as possible but refused to comment on the reports Thompson had been hospitalised.

Thompson's stand-in Bruce Goldsworthy said on Wednesday the EMA had been around for over 100 years and would be able to survive the current crisis.

"The organisation is much bigger than anyone person and it offers a huge range of services to its members. I think there is every chance that we'll get through it OK."

More than 11,000 people in a Facebook group pledged to take a "monthly day off" yesterday in protest at his comments.

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