| Restrictions | OK |
|---|---|
| Jurisdiction | Employment Relations Authority - Auckland |
| Reference No | [2014] NZERA Auckland 356 |
| Hearing date | 6 May 2014 |
| Determination date | 28 August 2014 |
| Member | R Arthur |
| Representation | C Andersen ; L Brewerton |
| Location | Tauranga |
| Parties | Simister v Luxury Airport Shuttles Ltd |
| Summary | UNJUSTIFIED DISMISSAL - Serious Misconduct - Applicant claimed unjustifiably dismissed by respondent - Whether valid 90 day trial period - Whether applicant casual employee - Vehicle GPS indicated applicant speeding - Performance concerns - Applicant suspended - Trainee driver |
| Abstract | AUTHORITY FOUND -;UNJUSTIFIED DISMISSAL: Employment agreement did not meet statutory requirements of trial period. Employment ongoing. No provision for suspension in employment agreement. Applicant not notified dismissal possible outcome. Not provided material on which concerns were based. Respondent did not wait for evidence on reliability of GPS for recording speed. Respondent did not consider alternatives to dismissal. Dismissal unjustified. REMEDIES: 15 per cent contributory conduct. respondent to pay applicant $5,235 reimbursement of lost wages. $3,400 compensation appropriate. |
| Result | Application granted; Contributory conduct (15%); Reimbursement for lost wages ($5,235.66); Compensation for humiliation etc ($3,400); Costs reserved |
| Main Category | Personal Grievance |
| Statutes | ERA 4(1);ERA s4(1A)(b);ERA s4(1A)(c);ERA s67A;ERA s67A(3);ERA s67B;ERA s103A;ERA s124;ERA s128(2) |
| Cases Cited | Blackmore v Honick Properties Ltd [2011] NZEmpC 152;Graham v Airways Corp of New Zealand Ltd [2005] ERNZ 587;Jinkinson v Oceana Gold (NZ) Ltd [2009] ERNZ 225;Northern Distribution Union v BP Oil NZ Ltd [1992] 3 ERNZ 483;Rush Security Services Ltd t/a Darien Rush Security v Samoa [2011] NZEmpC 76;Smith v Stokes Valley Pharmacy (2009) Ltd [2010] ERNZ 253;Telecom New Zealand Ltd v Nutter [2004] 1 ERNZ 315;W & H Newspapers Ltd v Oram [2000] 2 ERNZ 448 ; [2001] 3 NZLR 29 |
| Number of Pages | 13 |
| PDF File Link: | 2014_NZERA_Auckland_356.pdf [pdf 279 KB] |