Restrictions OK
Jurisdiction Employment Relations Authority - Auckland
Reference No AA 243/06
Hearing date 7 Jun 2006
Determination date 18 July 2006
Member M Urlich
Representation J Peebles ; Wilding International Ltd (in person)
Location Auckland
Parties Griffiths v Wilding International Ltd
Summary UNJUSTIFIED DISMISSAL - Applicant dismissed for refusing to agree to work rostered weekend shift - Weekend shifts enabled under employment agreement - Whether applicant on notice that refusal could result in dismissal - More likely than not applicant not put on notice - Failure to advise employment in jeopardy was more than minor flaw in dismissal process - Applicant could not reasonably infer from circumstances dismissal would be a consequence of refusal to work shift - In the past, applicant's preference for not working weekends had been accommodated and she had not been told employment in jeopardy - Unjustified dismissal - Remedies - Authority not satisfied applicant took reasonable steps to find alternative employment and mitigate loss - Applicant refused to work weekends despite acknowledging employer entitled to roster her in that manner - Timely notice of objection to weekend shift not given and no steps taken to swap it - Contributory conduct 50 percent - Length of service eight months - Caregiver
Result Application granted ; Reimbursement of lost wages ($672 reduced to $336)(2 weeks) ; Compensation for humiliation etc ($4,000 reduced to $2,000) ; Costs reserved
Number of Pages 4
PDF File Link: aa 243_06.pdf [pdf 57 KB]