Restrictions OK
Jurisdiction Employment Relations Authority - Wellington
Reference No WA 176/06
Determination date 15 December 2006
Member P R Stapp
Representation G McAsey ; S Robson
Location Wellington
Parties Jose v Barter Exchange Ltd t/a Victoria Motor Services
Summary ARREARS OF WAGES AND HOLIDAY PAY - Applicant sought arrears of wages, holiday pay and other monies owed under alleged employment agreement - Credibility finding in favour of respondent - Authority satisfied terms and conditions of employment not represented by letter - Claims for accommodation and airfares not made out - Deductions by respondent breached Wages Protection Act 1983 - However, respondent reasonably believed had authority given applicant's complicity - Final pay and holiday pay owing - DAMAGES - Applicant's claim for damages misconceived and without sufficient details and support - COUNTERCLAIM - BREACH OF CONTRACT - Applicant resigned without notice - Reasonable notice would have been two weeks - No award for damages as no direct evidence of loss - PENALTY - Deliberate failure to give reasonable notice - Penalty not raised in statement in reply - Given lack of proper notice and quasi criminal nature of penalties Authority declined to impose penalty on applicant - RECOVERY OF MONIES - Respondent sought to recover money for parts and tools applicant bought on account during employment - Applicant denied sums owed - Both parties denied having items - Amounts directly related to employment - Applicant ordered to pay entire sum claimed and to reimburse respondent cost of towing away his car - Sums to be offset - Mechanic
Result Application granted (Arrears) ; Arrears of wages and holiday pay ($1,296.05) ; Application dismissed (Damages) ; Counterclaim granted (Recovery of monies) ; Monies owed ($821.17) ; Counterclaim dismissed (Breach of contract, penalty) ; Costs reserved
Statutes Wages Protection Act 1983
Number of Pages 17
PDF File Link: wa 176_06.pdf [pdf 53 KB]