Restrictions OK
Jurisdiction Employment Relations Authority - Christchurch
Reference No [2018] NZERA Christchurch 19
Hearing date 29-Nov-17
Determination date 20 February 2018
Member H Doyle
Representation S Forrester ; S Jamieson, H Mills
Location Christchurch
Parties Wederell v McMillan Drilling Civil Ltd
Summary RAISING PERSONAL GRIEVANCE – Whether respondent consented to grievance being raised out of time – UNJUSTIFIED DISADVANTAGE – UNJUSTIFIED DISMISSAL – Serious Misconduct – Applicant claimed unjustifiably disadvantaged by a series of warnings – Applicant claimed unjustifiably dismissed by respondent – Fitter/Welder
Abstract AUTHORITY FOUND – RAISING GRIEVANCE: Strong argument that respondent consented to grievance being raised out of time. Authority had jurisdiction to consider the grievance out of time. UNJUSTIFIED DISADVANTAGE – UNJUSTIFIED DISMISSAL: Fair and reasonable employer justified in issuing applicant a written warning in all the circumstances. No unjustified disadvantage. Respondent fully and fairly investigated complaints and allowed applicant to comment. Applicant was not treated in a disparate manner. Conduct compared not sufficiently similar to applicants conduct. Dismissal was within a range of reasonable responses for respondent. Dismissal justified.
Result Application granted (raising personal grievance) ; Application dismissed (unjustified dismissal) (unjustified disadvantage) ; Costs reserved
Main Category Personal Grievance
Statutes ERA s4 ; ERA s103A ; ERA s103A(3) ; ERA s103A(a)
Cases Cited Angel v Fonterra Co-operative Group [2006] ERNZ 1080 (EmpC); Chief Executive of the Department of Inland Revenue v Buchanan [2005] ERNZ 767 (CA); Click Clack International Ltd v James [1994] 1 ERNZ 15 (EmpC) ; Nel v ASB Bank (No 2) [2017] NZEmpC 97 ; Rapana v Northland Co-operative Dairy Company Ltd [1998] 2 ERNZ 528 (EmpC)
Number of Pages 30
PDF File Link: 2018_NZERA_Christchurch_19_amended.pdf [pdf 125 KB]