Restrictions OK
Jurisdiction Employment Relations Authority - Christchurch
Reference No CA 30/05
Hearing date 28 Feb 2005
Determination date 02 March 2005
Member H Doyle
Representation R Thompson ; T Oldfield
Location Christchurch
Parties Crawford v Recall New Zealand, a division of Brambles New Zealand Ltd
Summary INTERIM REINSTATEMENT - Application for interim reinstatement – Applicant dismissed after testing positive for cannabis use – Positive test for cannabis in pre-employment medical examination – Suspended until second test – Told continued employment would depend on tests confirming was one off incident – Applicant agreed to 3 weekly tests and random testings – Further test negative and applicant returned to work – Next weekly test positive – Applicant alleged test incorrect - Applicant dismissed – Serious issues to be tried over whether process fair – Arguable issue as to whether disciplinary procedures in agreement followed and whether information about drug test deliberately withheld – Serious issue in respect of result of drug test relied on by respondent since applicant maintained result incorrect – In light of safety concerns following drug tests balance of convenience favoured respondent – Overall justice in favour of respondent – Application dismissed - Security service representative
Result Application dismissed ; Costs reserved
Cases Cited Klissers Farmhouse Bakeries Ltd v Harvest Bakeries Ltd [1985] 2 NZLR 129
Number of Pages 5
PDF File Link: ca 30_05.pdf [pdf 32 KB]