Restrictions OK
Jurisdiction Employment Relations Authority - Christchurch
Reference No CA 55/04
Hearing date 18 Jun 2003
Determination date 12 May 2004
Member A Dumbleton
Representation RM Gregory-Hunt ; N McPhail
Location Christchurch
Parties Polachek v Lane Walker Rudkins Industries Ltd
Summary UNJUSTIFIED DISMISSAL - Alleged respondent's actions unjustifiable disadvantage and caused unjustified dismissal - Formal warnings received about performance - Required to achieve 100 percent performance within two weeks - Did not achieve required standard - Applicant dismissed - Alleged failure to consult before changing performance standard - After dismissal alleged performance problems caused by work related back injury - Alleged respondent prevented applicant from performing to standard attracting bonus payment - Collective agreement provided for allowance payable at respondent's discretion to employee unable to earn bonus due to high frequency of job changeover" - Alleged breach of clause - No basis for claim to recover allowance - Though applicant initially complained of sore back and off work for eight days, not mentioned again until after dismissal - No breach by respondent of any legal requirement - Respondent did not act unreasonably or unfairly in regard to obligations to protect applicant's health - Respondent fairly and objectively measured applicant's performance against industry standards - Not applied in way intended to oppress or disadvantage her - Respondent frequently and continuously offered training and more time to improve but applicant rejected offers - No unreasonable or unfair personal behaviour and no breach of good faith - Claim for damages for breach of s4 failed - No personal grievance - PENALTY - Claim for penalty failed since no breach by respondent"
Result Application dismissed ; Costs reserved
Statutes ERA s4;ERA s157;ERA s160(3)
Cases Cited Trotter v Telecom Corp of NZ Ltd [1993] 2 ERNZ 659
Number of Pages 7
PDF File Link: PDF file not available for download, please contact us to request a copy.