Restrictions OK
Jurisdiction Employment Relations Authority - Christchurch
Reference No [2014] NZERA Christchurch 146
Determination date 16 September 2014
Member C Hickey
Representation P Brown ; T Smith
Parties Hall v Smith Crane & Construction Ltd
Summary UNJUSTIFIED DISMISSAL - Poor Performance - Applicant claimed unjustifiably dismissed by respondent - Whether applicant accepted attached employment agreement with 90 day trial period provision when signed letter of job offer - Migrant worker - Senior piling project manager
Abstract AUTHORITY FOUND -;UNJUSTIFIED DISMISSAL: Applicant employee of respondent when signed employment agreement. No valid trial period provision. No discussion of performance concerns with applicant. Respondent failed to comply with basic procedural requirements. Dismissal unjustified. REMEDIES: No contributory conduct. Appropriate to order reimbursement of cost of varying applicant's immigration visa. Respondent to pay applicant $32,093 reimbursement of lost wages. $7,000 compensation appropriate.
Result Application granted ; Reimbursement of lost wages ($32,093.66) ; Compensation for humiliation etc ($7,000) ; Costs reserved
Main Category Personal Grievance
Statutes ERA s67A;ERA s67A(2);ERA s67A(3);ERA s67B;ERA s103A;ERA s103A(3);ERA s103A(4);ERA s103A(5);ERA s124;ERA s128(2);ERA s128(3);ERA s174
Cases Cited Blackmore v Honnick Properties Ltd [2011] ERNZ 445;McKendry v Jansen [2010] ERNZ 453;Smith v Stokes Valley Pharmacy (2009) Ltd [2010] ERNZ 253
Number of Pages 11
PDF File Link: 2014_NZERA_Christchurch_146.pdf [pdf 304 KB]