Restrictions OK
Jurisdiction Employment Relations Authority - Christchurch
Reference No CA 49/04
Hearing date 7 Apr 2004
Determination date 27 April 2004
Member H Doyle
Representation RK Clayton (In person) ; No appearance
Location Christchurch
Parties Clayton v Ashwell and Anor
Other Parties Ashwell
Summary UNJUSTIFIED DISMISSAL - Alleged dismissed for not signing employment agreement - No appearance for respondent - Respondent took over shop where applicant worked - Identity of respondent - Whether employer respondent or respondent's company - Draft agreement left names of employer blank - Onus on respondent to make clear identity of company - By doctrine of undisclosed principal applicant could take proceedings against respondent - Difficulties contacting respondent - Respondent sought matter be adjourned and provided old medical certificate - Decision made to proceed in absence of respondent - Applicant disagreed with draft agreement and refused to sign because no detail in agreement - Respondent advised applicant's husband that applicant was sacked and would only be reinstated when signed agreement - Dismissal substantively and procedurally unjustified - ARREARS OF HOLIDAY PAY - Applicant not in position to provide details of gross earnings - More accurate details required to calculated holiday pay - Leave reserved to provide Authority with details of payments - Respondents ordered to pay holiday pay of 6 percent - Remedies - Failure to mitigate loss - Entitled to lost wages for 6 weeks - Shop manager
Result Application granted ; Reimbursement of lost wages ($2,880) ; Compensation for humiliation etc ($3,000) ; Arrears of holiday pay (Quantum to be determined) ; Costs in favour of applicant ($70)(Filing fee)
Statutes ERA Second schedule cl12
Cases Cited Kruesi v Hamua Holdings Ltd [1992] 3 ERNZ 135
Number of Pages 6
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