Restrictions OK
Jurisdiction Employment Relations Authority - Wellington
Reference No WA 74/01
Determination date 29 October 2001
Member D Asher
Representation J Holden & S Turner ; M Hawkesby
Location Wellington
Parties Foo v Pacific Plastic Recyclers Ltd
Summary UNJUSTIFIED DISMISSAL - Summary dismissal - Poor performance - Serious misconduct - Requested resignation - Dismissed when refused to sign resignation document - Alleged unauthorised draw-downs and concerns about dishonesty and gambling - Alleged substandard performance - No warning - Alleged performance warning was conversation between friends - Predetermination - Conduct was unchallenged for a year - Conduct could not be responsible for predetermination - Only option was to resign or be dismissed - Complete absence of procedural fairness - Dismissal was unjustified - RECOVERY OF MONEY - Alleged agreement to pay 'sign-on' money, profit share and other monies - Whether use of vehicle term or condition of employment - Credibility - Let more than 5 years pass before pursued money allegedly owing - Letter of appointment and shareholder's resolutions made no reference to agreement - Profit-share was discretionary incentive - No contractual entitlement to 'sign-on' money or profit-share - Provision of vehicle was benefit - General manager
Result Application granted in part ; Reimbursement of lost wages (6 months) ; Reimbursement of lost benefit ($1,500)(Vehicle) ; Compensation for humiliation etc ($6,500) ; Costs reserved
Statutes ERA s6(3);ERA s124;ERA s128(2)
Cases Cited Airline Stewards & Hostesses of NZ IUOW v Air NZ Ltd [1990] 3 NZILR 584 ; [1990] 3 NZLR 549;Ark Aviation Ltd v Newton [2001] ERNZ 133;Comber v Odyssey House Trust Inc [1992] 3 ERNZ 210;Grange v Phillips Electrical Industries Ltd [1981] ACJ 291;Hawkes Bay Road Transport etc IUOW v Direct Transport Ltd [1981] ACJ 523;NZ Bank Officers IUOW v ANZ Banking Group (New Zealand) Ltd [1983] ACJ 803;W & H Newspapers Ltd v Oram [2000] 2 ERNZ 448
Number of Pages 9
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