Restrictions OK
Jurisdiction Employment Relations Authority - Auckland
Reference No AA 202/06
Hearing date 19 May 2006
Determination date 15 June 2006
Member R A Monaghan
Representation G Froggatt ; G Cook
Location Auckland
Parties Pepe v Transportation Auckland Corporation Ltd
Summary UNJUSTIFIED DISMISSAL - Serious misconduct - Respondent investigated passenger complaint that applicant acted in inappropriate manner, and failed in duty of care to ensure passenger safe - Complainant alleged she was approached by applicant's friend, and applicant later approached her and spoke in suggestive manner - Alleged bus went slightly off route - Applicant suspended pending investigation of the incident - Evidence of incident unclear - Authority had reservation that dismissal letter went too far since no precise evidence of applicant's participation in incident - Applicant's conduct essentially unacceptable - Respondent entitled to conclude complainant's account more credible - No material deviation from collective employment agreement (CEA") disciplinary procedure - Applicant had right under CEA to name witnesses relevant to investigation, however, respondent not obliged to advise of right - No disparity of treatment - Dismissal justified - Length of service not specified - Bus driver"
Result Application dismissed ; Costs reserved
Cases Cited Northern Distribution Union v BP Oil NZ Limited [1992] 3 ERNZ 483
Number of Pages 6
PDF File Link: aa 202_06.pdf [pdf 72 KB]