Restrictions OK
Jurisdiction Employment Relations Authority - Auckland
Reference No [2016] NZERA Auckland 28
Hearing date 24 - 26 Nov 2015 (3 days)
Determination date 22 January 2016
Member Eleanor Robinson
Representation C Stewart ; A Sharp
Location Auckland
Parties Stormont v Peddle Thorp Aitken Ltd
Summary UNJUSTIFIED DISMISSAL – Redundancy – Applicant claimed unjustifiably dismissed – DISPUTE – Applicant claimed respondent failed to correctly pay bonus entitlement – GOOD FAITH – Applicant claimed respondent breached good faith by not fully engaging over bonus issue - Interior design associate
Abstract AUTHORITY FOUND –;UNJUSTIFIED DISMISSAL: Genuine business reasons for redundancy. Redundancy not motivated by dispute over bonus or applicant’s difficulties with respondent’s director. Respondent provided relevant information to applicant and gave applicant opportunity to provide feedback. Respondent carried out fair process.;DISPUTE: Applicant required to be paid bonus. Formula for calculating bonus set out. Respondent paid bonus in accordance with employment agreement. Question answered in favour of respondent.;GOOD FAITH: Divergence of views over bonus issue but respondent open to discussing matter. No breach of good faith.
Result Applications dismissed ; Question answered in favour of respondent ; Costs reserved
Main Category Personal Grievance
Statutes ERA s4;ERA s4(1A)(c);ERA s4(1A)(c)(i);ERA s4(1A)(c)(ii);ERA s103A
Cases Cited Association of Staff in Tertiary Education Inc: Aste Te Hau Takitini O Aotearoa v Hampton, Chief Executive of the Bay of Plenty Polytechnic [2002] 1 ERNZ 491 (EmpC);GN Hale & Son Ltd v Wellington Caretakers IUOW [1991] 1 NZLR 151 (CA);NZ Meat Workers & Related Trades Union Inc v Silver Fern Farms Ltd [2009] ERNZ 149 (EmpC);New Zealand Professional Firefighters Union v New Zealand Fire Services Commission [2011] NZEmpC 149;New Zealand Tramways and Public Transport Union Inc v Transportation Auckland Corp Ltd [2006] ERNZ 1005 (EmpC);Rittson-Thomas t/a Totara Hills Farm v Davidson [2013] NZEmpC 39, [2013] ERNZ 55;Simpson Farms Ltd v Aberhart [2006] ERNZ 825 (EmpC)
Number of Pages 26
PDF File Link: 2016_NZERA_Auckland_28.pdf [pdf 286 KB]