Restrictions OK
Jurisdiction Employment Relations Authority - Christchurch
Reference No CA 37/05
Hearing date 9 Mar 2005
Determination date 29 March 2005
Member J Crichton
Representation G Tyrall ; I Thompson
Location Christchurch
Parties Marlow v Gorrie Fuel (SI) Ltd
Summary UNJUSTIFIED DISMISSAL - Serious misconduct - Applicant, 14 years old, was employed as petrol station attendant – Customer stopped by diesel pump and applicant asked customer how much diesel she wanted before filling the tank up – Inside station discovered customer had wanted petrol – Respondent swore at applicant and fired him – Respondent believed applicant made the mistake rather than the customer - Applicant did not mention had asked customer how much diesel she wanted – Submission that the legal test should be different in retail fuel industry due to pressure from customers not accepted – Even if could be contended that dismissal was substantively justified was procedurally unfair – Dismissal in heat of moment – Remedies - No contributory conduct - Petrol station attendant
Result Application granted ; Reimbursement of lost wages ($624)(3 months) ; Compensation for humiliation etc ($3,000) ; Costs reserved
Number of Pages 5
PDF File Link: ca 37_05.pdf [pdf 28 KB]