Restrictions OK
Jurisdiction Employment Relations Authority - Auckland
Reference No [2016] NZERA Auckland 410
Hearing date 13-Dec-16
Determination date 15 December 2016
Member R Arthur
Representation C Sandford ; T Le Cren
Location Auckland
Parties Westerhof v Customised Deliveries (2013) Ltd
Summary ARREARS OF WAGES – Applicant sought arrears of wages – Deductions from wages – RAISING PERSONAL GRIEVANCE – Leave sought to raise grievance out of time – COSTS – Applicant sought contribution to costs – Delivery driver
Abstract AUTHORITY FOUND –ARREARS OF WAGES: Applicant did not have written employment agreement. No contractual or statutory provision under which respondent could withhold wages for failure to give notice. Respondent to pay applicant $2,130 arrears of wages. Interest payable.RAISING PERSONAL GRIEVANCE: Applicant did not have written employment agreement setting out statutory dispute resolution process. Lack of explanation of rights occasioned delay in raising grievance. No evidence that respondent prejudiced by late raising of grievance. Just to grant leave. Leave to raise grievance out of time granted.COSTS: Less than 2 hour investigation meeting. Appropriate to slightly increase notional daily tariff to reflect respondent’s failure to provide written witness statements. $1,200 contribution to costs appropriate.
Result Applications granted ; Arrears of wages ($2,130) ; Interest (5%) ; Costs in favour of applicant ($1,200)
Main Category Arrears
Statutes ERA s63A ; ERA s64 ; ERA s64(6) ; ERA s65(2)(a)(vi) ; ERA s114(4) ; ERA s114(5) ; ERA s115(c) ; ERA s174B ; ERA s174E ; Wages Protection Act 1983 s4 ; Wages Protection Act 1983 s5(1) ; Wages Protection Act 1983 s6(2) ; Judicature (Prescribed Rate of Interest) Order 2011 cl4
Cases Cited Bryson v Three Foot Six Ltd (No 2) [2005] NZSC 34, [2005] 3 NZLR 721 ; Fagotti v Acme Ltd [2015] NZEmpC 135, (2015) NZELR 1 ; PBO Ltd (formerly Rush Security Ltd) v Da Cruz [2005] ERNZ 808 (EmpC) ; Walden v Barrance [1996] 2 ERNZ 598
Number of Pages 10
PDF File Link: 2016_NZERA_Auckland_410.pdf [pdf 268 KB]