| Restrictions | OK |
|---|---|
| Jurisdiction | Employment Relations Authority - Auckland |
| Reference No | [2013] NZERA Auckland 317 |
| Hearing date | 8 Mar 2013 |
| Determination date | 26 July 2013 |
| Member | T G Tetitaha |
| Representation | A Chadwick ; C Rowe |
| Location | Whangarei |
| Parties | Brown v Middleton Transport Services Ltd |
| Summary | UNJUSTIFIED DISMISSAL – GOOD FAITH - Redundancy – Applicant claimed unjustifiably dismissed by respondent – Applicant resigned to take up new role – New role became unavailable – Applicant remained with respondent – Applicant provided new employment agreement – Applicant amended agreement but did not sign – Agreement required four weeks notice of redundancy - No alteration of notice period for redundancy - Whether requirement reasonable notice be provided implied term – Whether intended agreement enforceable – Whether applicant’s role performed by another employee – Whether alternative cost-saving options available - Whether respondent breached good faith in failing to provide all information - Manager |
| Abstract | AUTHORITY FOUND –;UNJUSTIFIED DISMISSAL – GOOD FAITH: Previous employment agreement terminated following applicant’s resignation. Applicant received benefits set out in agreement. Applicant’s conduct suggested agreement to notice period clauses. No basis to imply term of reasonable notice. Sufficient notice given. Other employee’s work substantially different to applicant’s. Redundancy based on genuine commercial need. No mixed-motive for redundancy. Respondent entitled to withhold confidential business information. Information not required for applicant to provide feedback. Respondent followed fair process. No unjustified dismissal. No misleading or deceptive behaviour. All relevant information provided. No failure to discuss alternatives. No breach of good faith. |
| Result | Applications dismissed ; Costs reserved |
| Main Category | Personal Grievance |
| Statutes | ERA s4(1B) – ERA s4(1C)(c) -ERA s64(4) - ECR s19(5) – ECR s19(6) |
| Cases Cited | Auckland Regional Council v Sanson [1999] 2 ERNZ 597;Carter Holt Harvey Ltd v Wallis [1998] 3 ERNZ 984;Decom Limited v Cleaver unreported, p Cheyne, 24 March 2009, CA2A/09;G N Hale & Sons Ltd v Wellington etc Caretakers etc IUOW (1990) ERNZ Sel Cas 843 ; [1991] 1 NZLR 151;Ogilvy & Mather (New Zealand) Ltd v Turner [1995] 2 ERNZ 398; [1996] 1 NZLR 641;Rittson-Thomas t/a Totara Hills Farm v Davidson [2013] NZEmpC 39;Whyte v Creative Force Media Ltd unreported, R Monaghan, 19 Jan 2010, AA23/10 |
| Number of Pages | 11 |
| PDF File Link: | 2013_NZERA_Auckland_317.pdf [pdf 288 KB] |