Restrictions OK
Jurisdiction Employment Relations Authority - Christchurch
Reference No [2013] NZERA Christchurch 254
Hearing date 10 Dec 2013
Determination date 11 December 2013
Member M B Loftus
Representation F McMillan ; D Sim, I Broadbent
Location Dunedin
Parties Campbell v The Commissioner of Salford School
Summary INJUNCTION – Applicant sought interim reinstatement – Applicant advised of anonymous complaints – Whether applicant given details of complaints – Investigator recommended Board introduce performance improvement strategies – Board requested Ministry of Education appoint Limited Statutory Manager (‘LSM’) – Alleged predetermination - Further complaint received about applicant’s treatment of staff – Board conducted staff survey – Number of staff actively seeking alternate employment – Applicant raised personal grievance – Whether Board used personal grievance to reconsider past issues – Board commenced investigation – Entire Board resigned – LSM received letter from investigators stating concerns with applicant widespread and serious – Applicant suspended pending resolution of investigation – Applicant sought to return in time for final assembly - Principal
Abstract AUTHORITY FOUND –;INJUNCTION: Parties disagreed about almost everything. Arguable case and high probability of success if assertions have foundation. Adequate alternative remedy available. Applicant avoided inappropriate reaction against complainants. Evidence staff considered applicant’s behaviour ameliorated. Unlikely appropriate measures could be put in place for applicant to return in time for final assembly. Substantive investigation may be complete before school returned from break. Parties better served by putting effort into completing substantive investigation. Balance of convenience favoured respondent. Overall justice favoured respondent. Application for interim reinstatement dismissed.
Result Application dismissed ; Costs reserved
Main Category Injunction
Statutes Education Act 1989 - Education Act 1989 s78N - Education Act 1989 s78O
Cases Cited Gazeley v Oceania Group (NZ) Limited [2012] NZEmpC 8;Harvest Bakeries Ltd v Klissers Farmhouse Bakers Ltd [1985] 2 NZLR 129
Number of Pages 11
PDF File Link: 2013_NZERA_Christchurch_254.pdf [pdf 175 KB]