Restrictions OK
Jurisdiction Employment Relations Authority - Christchurch
Reference No CA 120/04
Hearing date 7 Sep 2004
Determination date 01 October 2004
Member P Cheyne
Representation D Flemming ; N McPhail
Location Christchurch
Parties Blair v Lane Walker Rudkin Manufacturing Ltd
Summary UNJUSTIFIED DISMISSAL - Applicant on long-term leave due to illness - Respondent inquired as to when applicant would return - Meeting to discuss issues - Applicant dismissed - Was shocked and stunned - Letter did not sufficiently convey respondent's view of seriousness of issue - Applicant not told by respondent termination was possibility - Dismissal unjustified - Accepted respondent could have made justifiable decision to dismiss but did not
Result Application granted ; Compensation for humiliation etc ($12,000) ; Costs reserved
Cases Cited Barry v Wilson Parking New Zealand (1992) Ltd [1998] 1 ERNZ 545;Canterbury Clerical Workers IUOW v Andrews and Beaven Ltd [1983] ACJ 875;Hoskin v Coastal Fish Supplies Ltd [1985] ACJ 124;McKechnie Pacific (NZ) Ltd v Clemow [1998] 3 ERNZ 245;Motor Machinists Ltd v Craig [1996] 2 ERNZ 585;Paykel Ltd v Morton [1994] 1 ERNZ 875
Number of Pages 6
PDF File Link: ca 120_04.pdf [pdf 39 KB]