Restrictions OK
Jurisdiction Employment Relations Authority - Auckland
Reference No [2014] NZERA Auckland 167
Hearing date 26 Feb 2014
Determination date 02 May 2014
Member K J Anderson
Representation W Reid ; P Kotze
Location Tauranga
Parties Knapp v Locktite Aluminium Specialties Ltd
Summary UNJUSTIFIED DISMISSAL - Redundancy - Applicant claimed unjustifiably dismissed by the respondent - Respondent faced financial difficulty and sought to reduce hours of staff - Applicant refused reduction and asked for redundancy - Applicant reconsidered position and told respondent minimum of 25 hours required - Respondent provided variation offering minimum of 25 hours - Applicant declined and asked for redundancy again - Whether applicant dismissed
Abstract AUTHORITY FOUND -;UNJUSTIFIED DISMISSAL: Respondent did not have to dismiss applicant as employment agreement allowed reduction in hours. Respondent could have refrained from making applicant redundant and continued to offer work at reduced hours. Applicant dismissed by respondent. Dismissal unjustified. REMEDIES: Respondent acted in good faith and in accordance with applicants undertaking to work 25 hours. Applicant resiled from undertaking and failed to act in good faith. Applicant effectively estopped from asserting respondent acted unjustifiably. 100 per cent contributory conduct.
Result Application granted; Contributory conduct (100%); Costs to lie where they fall
Main Category Personal Grievance
Statutes ERA s4(1)(b);ERA s124;ERA s128
Number of Pages 11
PDF File Link: 2014_NZERA_Auckland_167.pdf [pdf 165 KB]