A University of Waikato lecturer is seeking $1.8 million in compensation from his employer who he claims did nothing when he was being bullied online by students.

Senior lecturer Simon Spacey alleges students made a derogatory webpage using an image of him, they also struck up a conversation about him on social media as well as emails he received which referred to him in derogatory terms.

He made a complaint to the Employment Relations Authority (ERA) after he felt the university had not dealt with the matter.

His complaint to the ERA also included other allegations, that his employer failed to provide career advancement information, the university re-interpreted intellectual property rules, it switched teaching subjects and he questioned whether the standard used to assess his performance was different to other staff members and his workload.

He failed in his bid to win name suppression in the case.

A university spokesperson said employment matters are confidential between the employer and employee.

"However it [the university] has had a bullying and harassment policy in place for some years, and considerable time was spent investigating the allegations of cyber-bullying raised by Dr Spacey.

"No evidence was found of university staff being involved and the university is unsure why Dr Spacey continues to think the attacks were supported by staff."

The university believes that it has provided Spacey with support.

Spacey said he did not blame the students [who were in his lectures] involved in cyber-bullying him through social media, fake webpages and email, but said the issue could have been dealt with by the university when it arose in 2013.

Spacey said he was of the opinion that some students felt the pressure of the university course and took their frustration out on their teacher.

He said he arrived at the $1.8 million dollar benchmark by adding the costs of humiliation and loss of dignity over 553 days, missed advancements, loss of benefits, preparing the case, session days and filing fees.

"The formula is quite simple. There should be compensation for everyday of pain."

Spacey said because he was unsupported he had to gather all the evidence for his case by himself, do all his own research and file the information to the ERA.

He wanted the university to take disciplinary action against the students for harassment.

Due to the substantive claim by Spacey, the ERA made a preliminary decision on the parameters of the case and what complaints they could investigate.

The ERA have narrowed it down to three issues raised by Spacey which are, cyber bullying, alleged failure by the university to provide advancement information and whether the standard used to assess Spacey's performance was different to the standard applied to others.

The authority stated that the parties are to attend mediation and in good faith, attempt to resolve the matters between them.

Spacey must contact the authority after the mediation, to say whether the matter has been resolved, or whether he wishes to progress his complaint.

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