Restrictions OK
Jurisdiction Employment Relations Authority - Auckland
Reference No AA 166/04
Hearing date 11 Mar 2004
Determination date 13 May 2004
Member K Raureti
Representation M Young ; S Wilson & N Dines
Location Auckland
Parties Jackson v Enterprise Motor Group (North Shore) Ltd
Summary UNJUSTIFIED DISMISSAL - Constructive dismissal - No written employment agreement - Concerns raised during 3 month trial period about punctuality, attendance, sleeping at work, not meeting performance targets - Addressed by verbal encouragement, coaching, mentoring, regular performance assessment interviews and training sessions - At meeting 2 weeks prior to expiry of trial period poor performance issues put to applicant - Branch manager and applicant went for walk where manager offered opportunity to resign rather than risk termination at end of probationary period - Resigned - Entitled to fair warning that respondent's dissatisfaction was such employment would end at expiry of probationary period - Balance of power and influence in favour of manager - Resignation not free choice - Constructive dismissal - Dismissal unjustified - Remedies - Reduction of 75 percent for contributory conduct - No wages lost as found new employment during notice period - Car Sales Consultant
Result Application granted ; Compensation for humiliation, etc ($1,000 reduced to $250) ; Costs reserved
Cases Cited Auckland etc Shop Employees etc IUOW v Woolworths (NZ) Ltd [1985] ACJ 963; [1985] 2 NZLR 372;Nelson Air Ltd v New Zealand Airline Pilots Association [1994] 2 ERNZ 665;Wellington Clerical Workers' IUOW v Barraud & Abraham Ltd [1970] 70 BA 347
Number of Pages 5
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