Restrictions OK
Jurisdiction Employment Relations Authority - Christchurch
Reference No CA 155/05
Hearing date 9 Sep 2005
Determination date 29 November 2005
Member J Crichton
Representation S Adamek (in person), J Morrison (in person) ; J Coburn (in person)
Location Christchurch
Parties Adamek and Anor v Coburn
Other Parties Morrison
Summary JURISDICTION - Whether employee or independent contractor - Applicants claimed respondent owed them arrears of wages - Respondent alleged was no employment relationship - Respondent alleged she sought to contract a couple who could take principal responsibility for backpacker facility at complex she was developing - Applicants were to receive 50 percent of net takings of backpacker units and could live on premises - Evidence strongly suggested commercial arrangement - Alleged food and petrol allowance payment did not connote employment relationship - Later respondent made payments to applicants against invoices for gardening and secretarial work - On balance of probabilities respondent decided to pay retainer to help applicants' financial situation - Did not change fundamental nature of relationship - No employment relationship - COSTS - Both parties appeared in person and accordingly costs to lie where they fall
Result Application dismissed ; Costs to lie where they fall
Statutes ERA s6
Number of Pages 5
PDF File Link: ca 155_05.pdf [pdf 29 KB]