Restrictions OK
Jurisdiction Employment Relations Authority - Christchurch
Reference No CA 54/01
Determination date 11 October 2001
Member N Taylor
Representation L Brook ; NJC Francken
Location Christchurch
Parties Donaldson v Corstophine House Services Ltd
Other Parties Devon Finance and Development Ltd
Summary UNJUSTIFIED DISMISSAL - Constructive dismissal - Disputed working hours over Anzac Day - Matter settled at mediation - Received letter from respondent alleging applicant had admitted to lying during mediation - Letter imposed restrictions on applicant's work - Alleged letter caused resignation - Claimed conditions imposed on employment unreasonable and unworkable - Sufficiently serious breach of duty - Contract unilaterally varied - Conditions imposed punitive and unreasonable - Not actions of fair and reasonable employer - Direct causation between letter and resignation - Dismissal unjustified - PENALTY - Failure to provide plain language explanation of services available to resolve employment relationship problem - Credibility - Applicant's evidence preferred - Breach of good faith - Token penalty appropriate to prevent reoccurrence - Chef
Result Application granted ; Reimbursement of lost wages ($8,124.99)(3 months) ; Compensation for humiliation etc ($12,000) ; Penalty in favour of the Crown ($500) ; Costs reserved
Statutes ERA s4(1);ERA s64(2)(a);ERA s65(2)
Cases Cited Auckland Electric Power Board v Auckland Provincial District Local Authorities Officers IUOW [1994] 1 ERNZ 168;Auckland etc Shop Employees etc IUOW v Woolworths (NZ) Ltd [1985] ACJ 963; [1985] 2 NZLR 372;Wellington etc Clerical Workers' Union v Greenwich [1983] ACJ 965
Number of Pages 6
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