Restrictions OK
Jurisdiction Employment Relations Authority - Auckland
Reference No [2015] NZERA Auckland 320
Hearing date 27-May-15
Determination date 13 October 2015
Member Vicki Campbell
Representation A Hope ; A Foster
Location Auckland
Parties Williams v Burkhart Building Ltd
Summary UNJUSTIFIED DISADVANTAGE – UNJUSTIFIED DISMISSAL – Poor performance - Applicant claimed unjustifiably disadvantaged by abuse and respondent’s failure to provide applicant with notice or respond to concerns – Builder
Abstract AUTHORITY FOUND -;UNJUSTIFIED DISADVANTAGE – UNJUSTIFIED DISMISSAL: Allegedly abusive text messages consistent with general use of language between parties and did not appear to have provoked any lasting conflict. Respondent failed to give applicant notice pay or allow applicant to respond to performance concerns. Applicant unjustifiably disadvantaged. Respondent initiated termination of employment relationship and confirmed this by offering applicant potential alternative employment and a reference. Respondent took applicant’s lack of protest as consent to termination but Authority not satisfied actual agreement existed between parties to terminate employment. Respondent failed to follow any proper process. Dismissal unjustified. REMEDIES: No contributory conduct. $5,000 compensation appropriate.
Result Applications granted ; Compensation for humiliation etc ($5,000) ; Costs reserved
Main Category Personal Grievance
Statutes ERA s103A;ERA s103A(3);ERA s103A(5);ERA s124;ERA s174E
Cases Cited Angus v Ports of Auckland Ltd [2011] NZEmpC 160, [2011] ERNZ 466
Number of Pages 9
PDF File Link: 2015_NZERA_Auckland_320.pdf [pdf 174 KB]