Restrictions OK
Jurisdiction Employment Relations Authority - Auckland
Reference No AA 477/05
Hearing date 16 Sep 2005 - 19 Oct 2005 (2 days)
Determination date 12 December 2005
Member R A Monaghan
Representation W Huang (in person) ; W Huang
Location Auckland
Parties Huang v New Zealand Education Services Centre Ltd
Summary UNJUSTIFIED DISMISSAL - Redundancy - Applicant provided after hours Chinese classes - Respondent decided to close Chinese" school" and establish "Synergy Art School" as continuing the Chinese classes was not economic - Applicant not told about this - Just before new year about to commence applicant went to school and had discussion with director - Was an altercation and applicant was asked to leave - Applicant was sent letter saying she was being made redundant - Redundancy genuine - Applicant should have been given opportunity to offer classes if she wished - No consultation - Respondent alleged restructuring was discussed in staff meetings which applicant was unwilling to stay behind class without pay and attend - If respondent had such discussions then they were important enough that applicant should have had advance notice of them and an opportunity to attend - Only other potential hint of change was a draft list of details of "Staff at Synergy Art School" which did not include applicant's name - That was not enough to notify applicant adequately of impending redundancy - Handling of termination unsatisfactory - Unjustified dismissal - ARREARS OF WAGES AND HOLIDAY PAY - Alleged respondent failed to pay her commissions as promised - Not persuaded was such agreement as alleged - Holiday pay owing - Parties to calculate amount with leave reserved to seek further order from Authority if any difficulties - No written employment agreement"
Result Application granted (Unjustified dismissal) ; Reimbursement of lost wages ($1,080)(15 weeks); Compensation for humiliation etc ($3,500) ; Arrears of holiday pay (Quantum to be determined by parties) ; Costs reserved
Statutes ERA s65
Number of Pages 6
PDF File Link: aa 477_05.pdf [pdf 37 KB]