Restrictions OK
Jurisdiction Employment Relations Authority - Christchurch
Reference No CA 154/06
Hearing date 7 Nov 2006
Determination date 10 November 2006
Member P Cheyne
Representation J Beck ; no appearance
Location Christchurch
Parties Edmonds v Glenlg Rest Home Ltd
Summary UNJUSTIFIED DISMISSAL – No appearance for respondent – Applicant made arrangements for another employee to work night shift for her – Respondent alleged applicant was instructed not to do this – Authority found no such instruction – Applicant removed from roster, told to come to meeting and bring her uniform – Applicant told she was not welcome back on premises – Further meeting two days later where letter warning applicant about not getting other staff to work for her was produced – Accepted applicant saw letter for first time at that meeting – Applicant entitled to opportunity to explain – Fair and reasonable employer would not have removed applicant from roster in manner it did – Inference from respondent’s message to come to meeting and bring uniform was that applicant would be dismissed – Predetermination – Purported dismissal at second meeting was no more than a sham to try to rescue respondent from consequences of unjustifiably dismissing applicant two days earlier – In any case, second meeting conducted in manner that fell far below standard of fair and reasonable employer – Dismissal unjustified – COSTS – Investigation meeting little over ï¾½ hour – Respondent to pay applicant $500 - Length of Service approximately two months
Result Application granted ; Reimbursement of lost wages ($300) ; Compensation for humiliation etc ($6,000) ; Costs in favour of applicant ($500)
Number of Pages 4
PDF File Link: ca 154_06.pdf [pdf 25 KB]