Restrictions OK
Jurisdiction Employment Relations Authority - Christchurch
Reference No [2015] NZERA Christchurch 136
Hearing date 7-Sep-15
Determination date 15 September 2015
Member James Crichton
Representation D O'Shea (in person) ; L Stewart
Location Ashburton
Parties O'Shea (Labour Inspector) v Pekanga O Te Awa Farms Ltd
Summary PENALTY – Applicant sought penalties for failure to pay minimum wage, failure to pay public holiday pay, failure to provide alternative holidays and failure to keep proper time records
Abstract AUTHORITY FOUND –PENALTY: Holidays Act breaches caused by ignorance of the law. Failure to keep records fundamental failure but caused by mistaken belief. Failure to pay minimum wage also caused by mistaken belief. Breach repeated but speedily rectified after involvement of applicant. Genuine remorse. Respondent complied with applicant. $500 penalty appropriate.
Result Application granted ; Penalty ($500)(payable to Crown) ; No order for costs
Main Category Penalty
Statutes Minimum Wage Act 1983 s6 ; Minimum Wage Act 1983 s8A ; Holidays Act 2003 s50 ; Holidays Act 2003 s56
Cases Cited Idea Services Ltd v Dickson [2011] NZCA 14, [2011] 2 NZLR 522 ; Law v Board of Trustees of Woodford House [2014] NZEmpC 25, [2014] ERNZ 57 ; Tan v Yang [2014] NZEmpC 65, [2014] ERNZ 733
Number of Pages 10
PDF File Link: 2015_NZERA_Christchurch_136.pdf [pdf 116 KB]