Restrictions OK
Jurisdiction Employment Relations Authority - Christchurch
Reference No [2012] NZERA Christchurch 200
Hearing date 28 Aug 2012
Determination date 17 September 2012
Member D Appleton
Representation S Hollis ; N May
Location Westport
Parties A Murphy v Geotech Ltd
Summary UNJUSTIFIED DISADVANTAGE – UNJUSTIFIED DISMISSAL – Serious Misconduct – Applicant claimed unjustifiably disadvantaged and unjustifiably dismissed by respondent – Minor physical altercation – Refusal to accept written warning subsequently amended to verbal warning – Request applicant repair vehicle door – Intimidating behaviour towards colleague with alleged verbal abuse – Claim timesheet falsified - Labourer
Abstract AUTHORITY FOUND –;UNJUSTIFIED DISADVANTAGE - UNJUSTIFIED DISMISSAL: Reasonable for respondent to take earlier verbal warning into account when investigating later event. Reasonable for respondent to conclude applicant intimidated colleague which amounted to serious misconduct. Failure to forewarn applicant falsifying timesheet disciplinary matter materially prejudiced applicant. Applicant not given access to ultimate decision maker. Significant flaws in process followed by respondent. Applicant unjustifiably disadvantaged by respondent. Dismissal unjustified. REMEDIES: Twenty-five per cent contributory conduct. $5,625 compensation appropriate.
Result Application granted; Contributory conduct (25%); Reimbursement of lost wages (three days); Compensation for humiliation etc ($5,625); Costs reserved
Main Category Personal Grievance
Statutes ERA s103A;ERA s103A(2);ERA s124
Number of Pages 21
PDF File Link: 2012_NZERA_Christchurch_200.pdf [pdf 296 KB]