Court Upholds Wrongful Termination Ruling Against Belize Tourism Board

The Court of Appeal has ruled in favor of former Belize Tourism Board executive Misty Michael, upholding a previous decision that she was wrongfully terminated from her post as Director of Marketing and Industry Relations. Michael, who was hired under a three-year contract in 2020, was dismissed in May 2021. B.T.B. claimed the termination was due to financial strain caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, citing a clause in her contract that allowed for dismissal in the event of a “material change in circumstances.” However, the court found that B.T.B. failed to prove it was truly unable to pay her salary, especially since the organization had millions in cash reserves and later hired a replacement at a similar salary. B.T.B. also argued that Michael’s contract was invalid because it lacked formal approval from the full Board and the Minister, as required by law. But the court disagreed, finding that the contract was properly executed by the Board’s Chairman and Vice Chairman, who had the apparent authority to act on the Board’s behalf. The court also emphasized that Michael had no reason to suspect any internal procedural issues. In the end, the court dismissed B.T.B.’s appeal and ordered the organization to pay Michael over two hundred and seventeen thousand dollars in damages, plus interest and legal costs.