Restrictions OK
Jurisdiction Employment Relations Authority - Wellington
Reference No WA 111/06
Hearing date 27 Jun 2006
Determination date 07 August 2006
Member P R Stapp
Representation Michael Leggat ; Karen Spackman
Location Wellington
Parties Long v New Zealand Lotteries Commission
Summary DISPUTE - Applicant disagreed with calculation of annual leave and long service leave entitlements - Applicant worked shift pattern equivalent to 3.5 days per week - Had two employment agreements while employed that referred to annual leave in weeks - However, various letters from respondent expressed entitlement in days e.g. 3 weeks (15 working days)" - Respondent calculated annual leave based on applicant's working week - Equated to 10.5 days and 14 days depending on applicable agreement - Applicant claimed entitled to 15 or 20 days respectively, based on letters and calculation of pro rata long service entitlement, which had not taken shift pattern into account - Respondent relied upon use of "week" in legislation and claimed reference to days a drafting error - Submitted paying out long service leave discretionary - Respondent's position not assisted by terms put in writing - Reasonable to expect large, resourced organisation such as respondent could get matters correct - Led applicant to believe entitled to 15 and 20 days leave - However, respondent's approach consistent with Holidays Act 2003 - Employment agreements applied over letters - Applicant not entitled to further leave - Payment of long service leave discretionary - Shift supervisor"
Result Question answered in favour of respondent ; Costs reserved
Statutes Holidays Act 1981;Holidays Act 2003 s17(1)
Number of Pages 9
PDF File Link: wa 111_06.pdf [pdf 40 KB]