Restrictions OK
Jurisdiction Employment Relations Authority - Auckland
Reference No AA 109/07
Hearing date 16 Apr 2007
Determination date 16 April 2007
Member L Robinson
Representation G Norton ; G Steele
Location Auckland
Parties Mudge v Botany Plastics Ltd
Summary UNJUSTIFIED DISMISSAL - Serious misconduct - Dismissed for theft - Applicant's evidence preferred - Invited to meeting without warning and told dismissed - Applicant asked why and told theft traced to her - When denied claim, respondent threatened to call police - Applicant made to write confession dictated by respondent - Applicant invoiced for amount outstanding and told to pay within three months or charges would be laid - Minimum requirements of procedural fairness not met - No convincing evidence of serious misconduct to justify summary dismissal - Applicant young - Real risk intimidated - Unsafe to rely on confession, investigation and conclusion of serious misconduct - Not actions of fair and reasonable employer - Dismissal unjustified - ARREARS OF WAGES - Respondent withheld severance pay to offset amount allegedly stolen - Arrears due and owing - Sales assistant
Result Application granted ; Reimbursement of lost wages ($5,381.32) ; Compensation for humiliation etc ($8,000) ; Arrears of wages ($406.29)
Main Category Personal Grievance
Number of Pages 6
PDF File Link: aa 109_07.pdf [pdf 25 KB]