Restrictions OK
Jurisdiction Employment Relations Authority - Christchurch
Reference No [2012] NZERA Christchurch 74
Hearing date 11 Apr 2012
Determination date 24 April 2012
Member E Robinson
Representation K Symons (in person) ; G Hamilton
Location Queenstown
Parties Symons v Wise.Net Trading Trust
Summary UNJUSTIFIED DISMISSAL - Redundancy - Applicant claimed unjustifiably dismissed by respondent - Respondent claimed parent company in financial difficulty and needed to reduce staff numbers - Applicant asked to participate in conference call with parent company manager (B") and parent company manager ("K") - Respondent director ("G") also present - B told applicant employment terminated - Applicant offered to accept reduced salary - B rejected offer and told applicant decision commercial - K requested applicant return keys and leave office immediately - Applicant claimed felt shocked and numb after call ended - Applicant dismissed - Authority found applicant dismissed as result of genuine redundancy - Found respondent failed to give applicant advance notice of redundancy proposal, information relevant to proposal or real opportunity to provide feedback - Found respondent did not follow fair process - Dismissal unjustified - REMEDIES - No contributory conduct - $7,680 reimbursement of lost wages - Interest payable - $7,000 compensation appropriate - Administration and support officer"
Result Application granted; Reimbursement of lost wages ($7,680); Interest (5%); Compensation for humiliation etc ($7,000); Costs reserved
Main Category Personal Grievance
Statutes ERA s4;ERA s 4(1A)(c);ERA s103A;ERA s124;ERA Second Schedule cl11
Cases Cited Cammish v Parliamentary Service [1996] 1 ERNZ 404;GN Hale & Son Ltd v Wellington Caretakers IUOW [1991] 1 NZLR 151;Simpsons Farms Ltd v Aberhart [2006] ERNZ 825
Number of Pages 9
PDF File Link: 2012_NZERA_Christchurch_74.pdf [pdf 44 KB]