Restrictions OK
Jurisdiction Employment Relations Authority - Christchurch
Reference No CA 68/01
Determination date 10 December 2001
Member P Cheyne
Representation JS Fairclough ; T McGinn
Location Christchurch
Parties Wisternoff v Wahapu Residential Services Ltd
Summary UNJUSTIFIED DISMISSAL - Serious misconduct - Took intellectually disabled residents away on holiday with another caregiver - Written complaint submitted by other caregiver on return - Alleged excessive level of intoxication and harsh treatment of residents while away - Bruising discovered on one resident's body - Applicant admitted telling one resident to restrain another resident - Called to disciplinary meeting - Insufficient time at meeting to have put allegations to applicant and considered response - Alternative plausible explanations for bruising - Inadequate investigation - Dismissal unjustified - Contributory conduct reduced remedies by two thirds - Live-in manager
Result Application granted ; Reimbursement of lost wages (Quantum to be determined by parties) ; Compensation for humiliation etc ($15,000 reduced to $5,000) ; Reimbursement of lost benefit ($1,950 reduced to $650) ; Costs reserved
Cases Cited Baguley v Coutts Cars Ltd [2000] 2 ERNZ 409;Northern Hotel etc IUOW v Southern Pacific Hotel Corporation (t/a Auckland City Travelodge) [1990] 2 NZILR 918;W & H Newspapers Ltd v Oram [2000] 2 ERNZ 448 ; [2001] 3 NZLR 29
Number of Pages 6
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