Restrictions OK
Jurisdiction Employment Relations Authority - Christchurch
Reference No CA 31/07
Hearing date 12 Dec 2006
Determination date 28 March 2007
Member P Montgomery
Representation G Riach ; M Harris
Location Christchurch
Parties Plimmer v Hawksbury Community Living Trust
Summary UNJUSTIFIED DISMISSAL - Serious misconduct - Previously mediation between parties - Applicant told colleague who attended, and that manager cried during mediation - Respondent saw this as breach of confidentiality and alleged relationship irreparably damaged - Applicant summarily dismissed - No prohibition on disclosing who attended mediation or reactions of participants - No evidence applicant disclosed discussions or details of what agreed - Confidentiality of mediation not breached - Participation of manager in disciplinary investigation in any role other than as witness breached principles of natural justice - Also failed to interview colleague about disclosure - Investigation tainted by bias and unfair to applicant - Applicant's conduct injudicious but not a breach of statute or serious misconduct - Dismissal unjustified - Senior support worker
Result Application granted ; Reimbursement of lost wages ($11,322)(17 weeks) ; Compensation for humiliation etc ($12,000) ; Costs reserved
Main Category Personal Grievance
Statutes ERA s103A;ERA s148
Cases Cited Air New Zealand Ltd v Hudson [2006] 1 ERNZ 415
Number of Pages 6
PDF File Link: ca 31_07.pdf [pdf 44 KB]