Restrictions OK
Jurisdiction Employment Relations Authority - Auckland
Reference No AA 181/03
Hearing date 22 May 2003
Determination date 18 June 2003
Member R A Monaghan
Representation K Nicholson ; K Swords
Location Auckland
Parties Hau v Allied Movers (NZ) Ltd
Summary UNJUSTIFIED DISMISSAL - Serious misconduct - Whether dismissal substantively justified - Applicant alleged co-workers had used cannabis while working - Physical altercation with co-workers - Investigation undertaken which concluded applicant involved in fight - Dismissed for involvement in fight - Allegations of cannabis use never fully investigated - Allegations crucial to credibility - Involvement in fight was probably self-defence - Complete failure to adequately investigate extent of participation in fight - Remedies - Failure to attend disciplinary meeting led to its rescheduling - Actions affected applicant's credibility during disciplinary investigation and amounted to contributory conduct - UNJUSTIFIED DISADVANTAGE - Alleged unlawful suspension - Suspension for fighting incident warranted - Suspension without pay was breach of contract - Applicant to be paid for suspension period - Good faith conduct - Unavailability of witnesses due to applicant's delay - Packer and removal labourer
Result Application granted ; Reimbursement of lost wages ($4,200) ; Compensation for humiliation etc ($3,200) ; Costs reserved
Number of Pages 7
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