Restrictions OK
Jurisdiction Employment Relations Authority - Auckland
Reference No AA 34/05
Hearing date 18 Oct 2004 - 19 Oct 2004 (2 days)
Determination date 04 February 2005
Member K J Anderson
Representation S Dyhrberg ; R Harrison
Location Auckland
Parties Alsop v Waiairiki Institute of Technology
Summary UNJUSTIFIED DISMISSAL - Constructive dismissal - Alleged respondent failed to recognise applicant's position had become superfluous - Applicant's position underwent changes - Experienced general dissatisfaction - Recommended his position be made redundant and he receive severance package - Initially little response from respondent - Later many discussions about issues - Sought to update applicant job description - Applicant did not sign new description due to his concerns - Resigned - No breach of duty by respondent such that was constructive dismissal - Applicant could not accept changes to role - Alternative argument that was redundancy and should have received compensation - Claim unsustainable - Not perception of respondent at time of resignation that applicant's position surplus to requirements - Alternative contract work discussed - Nothing agreed to - In any case would have been independent contractor relationship and outside Authority's jurisdiction - Mathematics tutor
Result Application dismissed ; Costs reserved
Cases Cited Auckland Electric Power Board v Auckland Provincial District Local Authorities Officers IUOW [1994] 1 ERNZ 168 ; [1994] 2 NZLR 415;Auckland etc Shop Employees etc IUOW v Woolworths (NZ) Ltd [1985] ACJ 963 ; [1985] 2 NZLR 372
Number of Pages 10
PDF File Link: aa 34_05.pdf [pdf 70 KB]