| Restrictions | OK |
|---|---|
| Jurisdiction | Employment Relations Authority - Auckland |
| Reference No | [2016] NZERA Auckland 391 |
| Hearing date | 9-Sep-16 |
| Determination date | 29 November 2016 |
| Member | N Craig |
| Representation | J Schlooz ; S Campbell |
| Location | Auckland |
| Parties | Cox v Campbells Carrying Company 2014 Ltd |
| Summary | UNJUSTIFIED DISMISSAL – Serious Misconduct - Applicant claimed unjustifiably dismissed by respondent – Summary Dismissal - PENALTY – GOOD FAITH - Applicant sought penalty for failure to provide written employment agreement and breach of good faith – Truck driver |
| Abstract | AUTHORITY FOUND –UNJUSTIFIED DISMISSAL: Process used to dismiss applicant minimal. Respondent did not advise applicant that disciplinary process happening, employment in jeopardy, or of right to seek representation. Respondent did not investigate fully and fairly, put all concerns to applicant or give applicant proper chance to respond. Dismissal unjustified. REMEDIES: 25 per cent contributory conduct. Respondent to pay applicant $3,802 reimbursement of lost wage. $2,250 compensation appropriate.PENALTY – GOOD FAITH: Insufficient grounds for penalty for breach of good faith. Respondent failed to provide written employment agreement. One breach for penalty purposes. Breach of relatively short duration and inadvertent. Applicant did not suffer any particular loss or harm. Respondent of limited financial means. $1,500 penalty appropriate. |
| Result | Applications granted ; Contributory conduct (25%) ; Reimbursement of lost wages ($3,802.50) ; Compensation for humiliation etc ($2,250) ; Penalty ($1,500)(payable to Crown) ; Costs reserved |
| Main Category | Personal Grievance |
| Statutes | ERA s63A ; ERA s63A(3) ; ERA s103A(3)(a) ; ERA s103A(3)(b) ; ERA s103A(3)(c) ; ERA s103A(5) ; ERA s120(2) ; ERA s124 ; ERA s128(2) ; ERA s128(3) ; ERA s135(2)(b) ; ERA s136(2) ; ERA s174E |
| Cases Cited | Banco de Portugal v Waterloo and Sons Ltd [1923] AC 452 (HL) ; Borsboom v Preet Pvt Ltd [2016] NZEmpC 143 ; Harris v The Warehouse Ltd [2014] NZEmpC 188, [2014] ERNZ 480 ; Paykel Ltd v Morton [1994] 1 ERNZ 875 (EmpC) ; Singh v Sherildee Holdings Ltd t/a New World Opotiki EmpC Auckland AC53/05, 22 September 2005 ; Xtreme Dining Ltd v Dewar [2016] NZEmpC 136 |
| Number of Pages | 15 |
| PDF File Link: | 2016_NZERA_Auckland_391.pdf [pdf 152 KB] |