Restrictions OK
Jurisdiction Employment Relations Authority - Auckland
Reference No AA 266/05
Determination date 13 July 2005
Member A Dumbleton
Representation MC Keegan (in person) ; J Waterworth
Location Auckland
Parties Keegan v The Department of Labour
Summary PARENTAL LEAVE - Application under s68 Parental Leave and Employment Protection Act 1987 to overcome irregularity of late application - Applicant took 12 weeks parental leave but did not make application under PLEPA to have leave paid because believed length of service (9 months) not long enough to be eligible - Amendment to Act came into force a few days before applicant commenced leave but she was unaware of change when it occurred – Her application was declined when she applied for paid parental after she returned to work – Under s71I(2) application must have been made before employee returned to work or before leave otherwise ended – Requirement mandatory and could not be waived by the Department of Labour - Suitable case for relief under s68 PLEPA – Timing of applicant’s parental leave happened to coincide with coming into force of amendment to PLEPA which significantly affected her rights – Irregularity waived – Application for payment for 12 weeks parental leave to be regarded as having been made within required time
Result Application granted ; No order for costs`
Statutes Parental Leave and Employment Protections Act 981 s68;Parental Leave and Employment Protections Act 981 s71I(2)
Number of Pages 2
PDF File Link: aa 266_05.pdf [pdf 10 KB]