Restrictions OK
Jurisdiction Employment Relations Authority - Wellington
Reference No WA 162/04
Hearing date 28 Oct 2004 - 29 Oct 2004 (2 days)
Determination date 24 November 2004
Member G J Wood
Representation P Ryder-Lewis ; S Dyhrberg
Location Wellington
Parties Crew v Vehicle Testing New Zealand Ltd
Summary UNJUSTIFIED DISMISSAL - Constructive dismissal - Applicant resigned after respondent informally raised concerns about difficulties relating to other staff - Subsequently denied resigning - Applicant not told unless issues resolved would have to leave - Respondent entitled to raise concerns informally and did so in appropriate manner - No breach of duty or intention to force resignation - Resignation offered three times before accepted by respondent - No attempt to retract resignation or expression of interest in continuing employment - Milburn v Waikato District Health Board (cited below) distinguished - No constructive dismissal - UNJUSTIFIED DISADVANTAGE - Initial election by respondent under employment agreement to allow applicant to work out notice - Unilateral imposition of garden leave for remainder of notice period direct result of applicant raising personal grievance - Unjustified disadvantage
Result Application dismissed (Unjustified dismissal) ; Application granted (Unjustified disadvantage) ; Compensation for humiliation etc ($1,500) ; Costs reserved
Cases Cited Burns v Chief Executive of the Inland Revenue Department [2001] 1 ERNZ 753;Donaldson & Youngman t/a Law Courts Hotel v Dickson [1994] 1 ERNZ 920;Milburn v Waikato District Health Board unreported, A Dumbleton, 11 February 2004, AA 49/04;WestpacTrust v Stevens [2002] 2 ERNZ 682
Number of Pages 11
PDF File Link: PDF file not available for download, please contact us to request a copy.