Restrictions OK
Jurisdiction Employment Relations Authority - Auckland
Reference No [2017] NZERA Auckland 40
Hearing date 3-Jun-16
Determination date 20 February 2017
Member A Dallas
Representation A Dumbleton ; R Chaudry
Location Auckland
Parties Labour Inspector v Griffin
Summary JURISDICTION – Whether employee volunteer or employee - PRACTICE AND PROCEDURE – Identity of employer - ARREARS OF WAGES AND HOLIDAY PAY – Applicant sought arrears of wages and holiday pay – PENALTY – Applicant sought penalty for respondent’s failure to provide employment agreement
Abstract AUTHORITY FOUND –JURISDICTION: Volunteer agreement not genuine. Even if genuine, of no legal effect. Applicant employee.PRACTICE AND PROCEDURE: Respondent selected, recruited and trained applicant. Respondent controlled and directed applicant’s work, and responded to applicant’s requests for payment. Applicant employed by respondent.ARREARS OF WAGES AND HOLIDAY PAY: Respondent failed to pay minimum wage and holiday pay. Respondent to pay applicant $4,100 arrears of wages and $328 arrears of holiday pay.PENALTY: Respondent failed to provide employment agreement. Requirement to provide agreements important. No evidence of respondent’s ability to pay penalty. $2,000 penalty appropriate.
Result Applications granted ; Arrears of wages ($4,100.50) ; Arrears of holiday pay ($328.04) ; Penalty ($2,000)(payable to Crown) ; Costs reserved
Main Category Arrears
Statutes ERA s6 ; ERA s63A ; ERA s64 ; ERA s132 ; ERA s136(2) ; ERA s161(m)(iii) ; ERA s174E ; ERA s228(1) ; ERA Second Schedule cl4 ; ERA Second Schedule cl11 ; Holidays Act 2003 s23(2) ; Holidays Act 2003 s27 ; Judicature Act 1909 s87(3) ; Minimum Wage Act 1983 s6 ; Wages Protection Act 1983 s2
Cases Cited Borsboom v Preet Pvt Ltd [2016] NZEmpC 143 ; Hixon v Campbell [2014] NZEmpC 213, [2014] ERNZ 535 ; Hutton v Provencocadmus Ltd (in receivership) [2012] NZEmpC 207, [2012] ERNZ 566 ; Orakei Group (2007) Ltd v Doherty [2008] ERNZ 345 (EmpC) ; Xu v McIntosh [2004] 2 ERNZ 448 (EmpC)
Number of Pages 17
PDF File Link: 2017_NZERA_Auckland_40.pdf [pdf 220 KB]