Restrictions OK
Jurisdiction Employment Relations Authority - Auckland
Reference No AA 131/07
Hearing date 13 Feb 2007
Determination date 30 April 2007
Member M Urlich
Representation M Nutsford ; P Tremewan
Location Auckland
Parties Taylor v Review Publishing Co Ltd
Summary UNJUSTIFIED DISMISSAL - Poor performance - Applicant claimed when accepted role made it clear would need support - Neither party rigorously assessed applicant's skills or experience to fulfil role - Applicant subject to probationary period - Respondent concerned about performance - Suggested applicant move from editor to freelance writer - Submitted applicant relieved and said he had thought about leaving - Described meeting as amicable - Applicant claimed considered leaving if next publication did not improve - No evidence to support respondent's contention applicant agreed to resign to accept freelance work - Respondent initiated end of employment - Applicant's response understandable in situation - Applicant dismissed - Respondent failed to meet barest standards of fair and reasonable conduct - Dismissal unjustified - Remedies - Respondent failed to draw performance concerns to applicant's attention or comply with terms of probationary period - However, Authority accepted respondent had serious concerns about performance and applicant acknowledged to a degree floundered in role - Contributory conduct 25 percent applied to lost wages only - Editor
Result Application granted ; Reimbursement of lost wages (10 weeks reduced to 6) ; Compensation for humiliation etc ($3,000) ; Costs reserved
Main Category Personal Grievance
Number of Pages 7
PDF File Link: aa 131_07.pdf [pdf 37 KB]