Restrictions OK
Jurisdiction Employment Relations Authority - Christchurch
Reference No CA 97/06
Hearing date 23 May 2006
Determination date 29 June 2006
Member J Crichton
Representation B Ayrey ; B Nathan
Location Christchurch
Parties Iosefa v Canterbury Hospitality Group
Summary PRACTICE AND PROCEDURE - Respondent sought order that statements of witnesses be admitted - Witnesses not available for investigation meeting - Application lodged one year after dismissal - Respondent claimed had applicant progressed matter in timely fashion, witnesses would probably have been available - Unjust and inequitable to exclude hearsay evidence as was important to disposition of the matter - Evidence allowed - UNJUSTIFIED DISMISSAL - Serious misconduct - Summary dismissal - Two disciplinary meetings held for separate incidents - First meeting about allegation applicant gave away drinks - Evidence equivocal on whether or not applicant given opportunity to have representative at first meeting - Applicant's explanation of incident not credible - Given final warning - Not persuaded allegation was not put to applicant clearly and that not given opportunity to dispute it if she chose to - On balance of probabilities first meeting not fundamentally flawed - Second meeting about applicant being discovered in management office with boyfriend by other employees while supposed to be working - Available to fair and reasonable employer to have reached conclusion applicant committed serious misconduct - Difficult to see what further inquiries respondent could have made - Dismissal justified - Length of service three years seven months with respondent and its predecessors - Bartender
Result Application dismissed ; Costs reserved
Statutes Evidence Amendment Act (No 2) 1980 s3
Number of Pages 8
PDF File Link: ca 97_06.pdf [pdf 46 KB]