Restrictions Includes non-publication order
Jurisdiction Employment Relations Authority - Christchurch
Reference No [2017] NZERA Christchurch 3
Hearing date 20-Dec-16
Determination date 05 January 2017
Member D Appleton
Representation N Heath ; RM Thompson
Location Wanaka
Parties Wanaka Sun (2003) Ltd v Woodrow
Summary PENALTY – Applicant sought penalty for respondent’s breach of settlement agreement (“SA”)
Abstract AUTHORITY FOUND –PENALTY: Order for non-publication of personal evidence of respondent. Respondent made potentially derogatory comment about applicant’s business. Comment amounted to criticism of applicant. Respondent breached SA. Breach of minimal severity. One-off comment to a single person during private conversation and not overheard by anyone. No harm or malice meant. Respondent admitted making comment. No damage done to applicant. No evidence of respondent’s ability to pay. $250 penalty appropriate.
Result Application granted ; Penalty ($250)(payable to Crown) ; Disbursements in favour of applicant ($71.56)(filing fee) ; No order for costs
Main Category Penalty
Statutes ERA s135(2)(a) ; ERA s149 ; ERA s149(4)
Cases Cited Borsboom v Preet Pvt Ltd [2016] NZEmpC 143 ; Radius Residential Care Ltd v New Zealand Nurses Organisation Inc [2016] NZEmpC 112
Number of Pages 7
PDF File Link: 2017_NZERA_Christchurch_3.pdf [pdf 114 KB]