Restrictions OK
Jurisdiction Employment Relations Authority - Auckland
Reference No [2013] NZERA Auckland 92
Hearing date 5 Mar 2013
Determination date 19 March 2013
Member J Crichton
Representation K Fayen ; P Whiteford
Location Auckland
Parties Finlay v Blackwoods Bakeries Ltd
Summary UNJUSTIFIED DISMISSAL – Serious Misconduct – Applicant claimed unjustifiably dismissed by respondent – Alleged financial discrepancies – Whether applicant casual or permanent part time employee – Applicant told not to report for work – Whether applicant told not to report for work so that respondent could investigate alleged financial discrepancies – Refusal to provide applicant with documentation regarding alleged financial discrepancies – Whether applicant advised to take certain steps by Department of Labour – Salesperson
Abstract AUTHORITY FOUND –;UNJUSTIFIED DISMISSAL: Applicant permanent part time employee. Respondent did not receive advice from Department of Labour. Applicant had no reasonable opportunity to consider respondent’s material. Applicant had no opportunity to respond to implication of serious criminal wrongdoing. Respondent breached good faith duty. Dismissal unjustified. REMEDIES: No contributory conduct. Respondent to pay applicant $550 reimbursement of lost wages. $2,500 compensation appropriate.
Result Application granted ; Reimbursement of lost wages ($550) ; Compensation for humiliation etc ($2,500) ; Costs reserved
Main Category Personal Grievance
Statutes ERA s4;ERA s4(1A)(b);ERA s128(2);ERA s128(3)
Cases Cited Allen v Transpacific Industries Group Ltd (t/a Medismart Ltd) (2009) 6 NZELR 530;Smith v McCulloch & Partners [2003] 1 ERNZ 346
Number of Pages 8
PDF File Link: 2013_NZERA_Auckland_92.pdf [pdf 169 KB]