Restrictions OK
Jurisdiction Employment Relations Authority - Auckland
Reference No [2013] NZERA Auckland 537
Hearing date 23 Oct 2013
Determination date 21 November 2013
Member J Crichton
Representation M Insley ; M Beech
Location Rotorua
Parties Tomo v Checkmate Precision Cutting Tools Ltd
Summary UNJUSTIFIED DISMISSAL – Redundancy – Applicant claimed unjustifiably dismissed by respondent – Applicant advised of possibility of redundancy – Applicant sent letter to respondent indicating belief that job gone – Applicant proposed redeployment with protected conditions or voluntary severance – Respondent rejected proposals – Applicant given six week’s notice of termination for redundancy – Whether redundancy genuine – Driver
Abstract AUTHORITY FOUND –;UNJUSTIFIED DISMISSAL: Chief Executive with respondent for very limited period of time. Inconceivable respondent formed view about applicant on personal basis. Likely respondent applied normal commercial principles to identify surplus roles. Redundancy genuine. No appropriate alternative positions for applicant. No evidence respondent failed to provide material or withheld information applicant entitled to. Material provided to applicant sufficiently clear for applicant to participate in consultation process. Much material provided orally at consultation meetings. No obligation to provide relevant information after redundancy declared. Respondent’s consultation with applicant proper. Dismissal justified.
Result Application dismissed ; Costs reserved
Main Category Personal Grievance
Statutes ERA s4 - ERA s4(1A)(c) - ERA s103A
Cases Cited Checkmate Precision Cutting Tools Limited v Tomo [2013] NZEmpC 54;Bode-Patterson v Hammond-Smith and Smith t/a I Love Merino Ltd [2013] NZERA Auckland 294;Rittson-Thomas t/a Totara Hills Farm v Davidson [2013] NZEmpC 39;Rillstone v Product Sourcing International 2000 Ltd unreported, R Arthur, 7 June 2007, AA167/07;Vice-Chancellor of Massey University v Wrigley [2011] NZEmpC 37
Number of Pages 15
PDF File Link: 2013_NZERA_Auckland_537.pdf [pdf 196 KB]