| Restrictions | OK |
|---|---|
| Jurisdiction | Employment Relations Authority - Auckland |
| Reference No | [2015] NZERA Auckland 25 |
| Hearing date | 11 Nov 2014 |
| Determination date | 29 January 2015 |
| Member | TG Tetitaha |
| Representation | M Smyth ; A Parish |
| Location | Auckland |
| Parties | McEwing v Geovert Ltd |
| Summary | UNJUSTIFIED DISMISSAL - Redundancy - Applicant claimed unjustifiably dismissed by respondent - Whether respondent relied on other employee to warn applicant about potential redundancy - Project development manager |
| Abstract | AUTHORITY FOUND -;UNJUSTIFIED DISMISSAL: Respondent's financial position worsening over time. Respondent not required to offer other employee's position to applicant because other employee's position not superfluous to needs of business. Applicant's position surplus at time decision to disestablish position made. No personal motivation to get rid of applicant. Reasons for redundancy genuine. Applicant received no notice or information in advance of meeting. No reasonable opportunity for applicant respond to decision to dismiss or offer counter proposals. Dismissal abrupt. Dismissal unjustified. REMEDIES: No contributory conduct. $5,000 compensation appropriate. |
| Result | Application granted ; Compensation for humiliation etc ($5,000) ; Costs reserved |
| Main Category | Personal Grievance |
| Statutes | ERA s4;ERA s4(1A)(c);ERA s4(4)(e);ERA s124;ERA s128 |
| Cases Cited | Allen v Transpacific Industries Group Ltd (t/as Medismart Ltd) (2009) 6 NZELR 530 (EmpC);Carter Holt Harvey Ltd v Yukich [2005] ERNZ 300 (CA);Coutts Cars Ltd v Baguley [2002] 2 NZLR 533 (CA);Finau v Carter Holt Building Supplies [1993] 2 ERNZ 971 (EmpC);G N Hale & Son Ltd v Wellington, etc, Caretakers, etc, IUW [1991] 1 NZLR 151 (CA);Grace Team Accounting Ltd v Brake [2014] NZCA 541, [2015] 2 NZLR 494;NCR (NZ) Corp Ltd v Blowes [2005] ERNZ 932 (CA);Paykel Ltd v Ahlfeld [1993] 1 ERNZ 334 (EmpC);Rittson-Thomas, (T/A Totara Hills Farm) v Davidson [2013] NZEmpC 39, [2013] ERNZ 55;Simpsons Farms Ltd v Aberhart [2006] ERNZ 825 (EmpC) |
| Number of Pages | 9 |
| PDF File Link: | 2015_NZERA_Auckland_25.pdf [pdf 168 KB] |