Restrictions OK
Jurisdiction Employment Relations Authority - Christchurch
Reference No CA 25/05
Hearing date 8 Feb 2005
Determination date 24 February 2005
Member P R Stapp
Representation J Moran ; D Beck
Location Christchurch
Parties Inglewood v West Christchurch Women's Refuge Society Inc
Summary UNJUSTIFIED DISMISSAL - Constructive dismissal - Difficulties with another employee - Other employee received warning - Applicant dissatisfied with outcome of disciplinary process - Respondent informed applicant that complaints to be dealt with by Department of Labour mediator - Respondent managed by collective - Alleged unsafe workplace caused by failure to follow collective's constitutional policies and procedures in dealing with complaints about other employee - Issued with warning for raising concerns in inappropriate manner - Applicant resigned - Confusion between issues concerning management of collective and actual employment-related issues - Respondent not unwilling or unable to resolve complaints regarding other employee - Unilateral decision to refer matter to mediator for final and binding decision not reasonable - Decision linked to alleged failure to follow correct policies and related concerns about safety of workplace - Link meant breach serious enough to cause resignation - Warning without opportunity for applicant to comment also serious enough to cause resignation - Resignation reasonably foreseeable - Constructive dismissal - Remedies - No contributory conduct - Remedies affected by rejection of full-time employment offer and failure to obtain medical opinion concerning alleged sickness at end of employment - Women's refuge worker
Result Application granted ; Reimbursement of lost wages ($5,180)(8 weeks) ; Compensation for humiliation etc ($3,000) ; Costs reserved
Statutes ERA s123(c)(i)
Number of Pages 12
PDF File Link: ca 25_05.pdf [pdf 51 KB]