Restrictions OK
Jurisdiction Employment Relations Authority - Auckland
Reference No AA 168/04
Hearing date 9 Feb 2004
Determination date 13 May 2004
Member J Scott
Representation M Young ; MC Black
Location Auckland
Parties Jackson v Moyes Motor Group Ltd
Summary UNJUSTIFIED DISMISSAL - Constructive dismissal - On fifth day of employment respondent received information from police about applicant which alarmed respondent's director - Formed view that applicant unlikely to gain approval of Motor Vehicle Dealers Institute (MVDI") as required for work - At meeting given choice of resignation or dismissal - Letter from MVDI and discussion where applicant told MVDI did not approve him were contrivances to secure applicant's departure - No investigation carried out to satisfy respondent there were justifiable grounds for dismissal - Dismissal unjustified - Remedies - Short period of employment - After first month of employment was to be remunerated by commission only - Applicant succumbed to serious psychiatric illness two weeks after termination and unavailable for work - Reimbursement of 1 month's wages - Very harsh dismissal - Respondent's conduct not significant cause of breakdown in health - Respondent could have reduced exposure to any risk posed by applicant by careful reference checking - No reduction for contribution - Trainee Sales Representative"
Result Application granted ; Reimbursement of lost wages ($2,083.33) ; Arrears of wages (5 days' work and commission) ; Arrears of holiday pay (6 percent) ; Loss of benefit (use of pool car) ($750) ; Compensation for humiliation, etc ($4,000) ; Costs reserved
Cases Cited Auckland etc Shop Employees etc IUOW v Woolworths (NZ) Ltd [1985] ACJ 963; [1985] 2 NZLR 372;NZ Amalgamated Engineering etc IUOW v Ritchies Transport Holdings Ltd [1991] 2 ERNZ 267
Number of Pages 5
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