Restrictions OK
Jurisdiction Employment Relations Authority - Auckland
Reference No [2016] NZERA Auckland 230
Hearing date 24-May-16
Determination date 06 July 2016
Member Tania Tetitaha
Representation C English ; J Douglas
Location Auckland
Parties Lenaghan v Hydrovac Ltd
Summary UNJUSTIFIED DISADVANTAGE – UNJUSTIFIED DISMISSAL – Serious Misconduct – Applicant claimed unjustifiably disadvantaged by suspension – Applicant claimed unjustifiably dismissed by respondent – Machinery operator
Abstract AUTHORITY FOUND –UNJUSTIFIED DISADVANTAGE – UNJUSTIFIED DISMISSAL: Applicant suspended on pay without prior consultation. Good reason for respondent to suspend. Applicant disadvantaged by lack of opportunity to comment. Applicant unjustifiably disadvantaged. Fair and reasonable employer could have concluded applicant drinking alcohol at worksite and offering alcohol to workers. Respondent did not properly raise concerns with applicant or give applicant proper opportunity to be heard. Dismissal unjustified. REMEDIES: 100 per contributory conduct.
Result Applications granted ; Contributory conduct (100%) ; Costs reserved
Main Category Personal Grievance
Statutes ERA s103(1)(b) ; ERA s103A ;ERA s103A(2) ; ERA s103A(3) ; ERA s103A(5) ; ERA s124 ; ERA s128 ; Land Transport Act 1998 s12 ; Land Transport Act 1988 s58 ; Evidence Act 2006 s37
Cases Cited Allen v TransPacific Industries Group Ltd (t/a Media Smart Ltd) (2009) 6 NZELR 530 (EmpC) ; Carter Holt Harvey v Yukich [2005] ERNZ 300 (CA) ; Finau v Carter Holt Building Supplies [1993] 2 ERNZ 971 (EmpC) ; Goodfellow v Building Connexion Ltd t/a ITM Building Centre [2010] NZEmpC 82 ; Graham v Airways Corp of New Zealand Ltd [2005] ERNZ 587 ; Knapp v Locktite Aluminium Specialities Ltd [2015] NZEmpC 71 ; Morgan v Whanganui College Board of Trustees [2013] NZEmpC 117, [2013] ERNZ 285 ; Morgan v Whanganui College Board of Trustees [2014] NZCA 340, [2014] 3 NZLR 713 ; Singh v Sherildee Holdings Ltd t/a New World Opotiki EmpC Auckland AC53/05, 22 September 2005
Number of Pages 12
PDF File Link: 2016_NZERA_Auckland_230.pdf [pdf 199 KB]