| Restrictions | OK |
|---|---|
| Jurisdiction | Employment Relations Authority - Auckland |
| Reference No | [2014] NZERA Auckland 290 |
| Hearing date | 7 Jul 2014 |
| Determination date | 08 July 2014 |
| Member | R Arthur |
| Representation | P Melgers (in person) ; H Gower (in person) |
| Parties | Melgers v Gower |
| Other Parties | 0 |
| Summary | ARREARS OF HOLIDAY PAY - Applicant sought arrears of holiday pay - Forfeiture clause - Respondent withheld holiday pay due to applicant's failure to give notice and failure to vacate accommodation provided by employment agreement |
| Abstract | AUTHORITY FOUND -;ARREARS OF HOLIDAY PAY: Holiday pay treated as salary. Written consent provided by signed employment agreement but forfeiture clause not enforceable as penalty to compel performance rather than genuine estimate of loss. No actual evidence of loss. Applicant could not work full notice due to back injury. Rent issue not relevant to determining entitlement to holiday pay. Value of holiday pay could not be set off against rent arrears due for period outside employment relationship. Respondent to pay applicant $1,523 arrears of holiday pay. Interest payable. |
| Result | Application granted; Arrears of holiday pay ($1,523.05); Interest (5%); Disbursements in favour of applicant ($71.56)(filing fee); No order for costs |
| Main Category | Arrears |
| Statutes | ERA s174;Holidays Act 2003 23;Holidays Act 2003 27;Holidays Act 2003 84;Holidays Act 2003 86;Wages protection Act 1983;Wages Protection Act 1983 s4;Wages Protection Act 1983 s5 |
| Cases Cited | Brown v North West Logging Ltd [2011] NZERA Auckland 285;D A & J A Ward Ltd v Wood unreported, 16 Feb 2009, J Crichton, CA16/09;Hixon v Ashwood Park Rest Home 2004 Ltd [2011] NZERA Christchurch 159;Kumar v Fliway Logistics Ltd [2012] NZERA Christchurch 69;Labour Inspector v Cornerstone Enterprises Ltd unreported, 22 Nov 2010, H Doyle, CA212/10;Livingston v G L Freeman Holdings Ltd [2013] NZERA Christchurch 90;Northern Hotel etc IUOW v Morris Catering Ltd [1988] NZILR 1009;Ozturk v Gultekin, (t/a Halikarnas Restaurant) [2004] 1 ERNZ 572;Pakinga v Coromandel Peninsular Couriers Ltd [2011] NZERA Auckland 58;Portia Developments Ltd v Taylor unreported, 9 Sept 1997, Travis J, AEC100/97;Robertson Turnball Ltd v Labour Inspector unreported, 8 May 2008, P Cheyne, CA61/08; Service Workers Union of Aotearoa v Thai Orchid Restaurant Ltd (t/a Berkleys Restaurant) unreported, Finnigan J, 16 Oct 1991, AEC26/91 |
| Number of Pages | 7 |
| PDF File Link: | 2014_NZERA_Auckland_290.pdf [pdf 317 KB] |