Restrictions OK
Jurisdiction Employment Relations Authority - Christchurch
Reference No CA 84/03
Hearing date 24 Jun 2003
Determination date 30 July 2003
Member H Doyle
Representation I Thompson ; H Evans
Location Christchurch
Parties Postlethwaite v Gas Company Ltd
Summary UNJUSTIFIED DISMISSAL - Whether dismissed or abandoned employment - Hours varied by agreement for particular day - Required to work late - Alleged agreement to work less hours following day - Unable to carry out all of following day's duties - Went home without informing respondent - Unable to be contacted following day - Failed to attend work for following two shifts - Contacted respondent by phone - Informed of dismissal during phone conversation - Dismissal procedurally unfair - Remedies - Contributory conduct - Remedies reduced by 40 percent - PENALTY - Penalty for failure to provide written employment agreement - Respondent admitted failure - Respondent clear about future compliance - Penalty inappropriate
Result Application granted (Unjustified dismissal) ; Application dismissed (Penalty) ; Reimbursement of lost wages ($3,250 reduced to $1,950) ; Compensation for humiliation etc ($5,000 reduced to $3,000) ; Costs reserved
Statutes ERA s65;ERA s65(2)(a)(vi)
Cases Cited Northern Distribution Union v BP Oil NZ Ltd [1992] 3 ERNZ 483;NZ (with exceptions) Food Processing etc IUOW v Unilever NZ Ltd [1990] 1 NZILR 35
Number of Pages 8
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