Restrictions OK
Jurisdiction Employment Relations Authority - Auckland
Reference No AA 203/05
Hearing date 21 Apr 2005
Determination date 31 May 2005
Member D King
Representation G Ogilvie ; T Bravenboer
Location Auckland
Parties Collins v Ngati Porou Hauora Inc
Summary UNJUSTIFIED DISMISSAL - Dismissed for alleged abandonment - Applicant suffered accident which caused her to be off work for number of months - Doctor did not provide respondent with medical certificates as applicant alleged he had said he would - Respondent wrote letter saying applicant had failed to comply with specified clause in agreement - Applicant made no effort to contact doctor to ensure certificates sent - Miscommunication on both sides - Reason for termination was applicant's perceived failure to keep respondent informed of the state of her health - Applicant should have checked whether certificates had been supplied - Not helpful to send letter merely saying should comply with specified clause (instead of specifically saying had received no medical certificates) - Applicant did not have notice of fact respondent was considering a dismissal - No opportunity for input into decision - Abandonment could not be used as justification - Respondent knew applicant was ill - Remedies - No reimbursement of lost wages since in receipt of ACC - Contributory conduct 1/3rd
Result Application granted ; Compensation for humiliation etc ($3,000 reduced to $2,000) ; Costs reserved
Number of Pages 5
PDF File Link: aa 203_05.pdf [pdf 26 KB]