Restrictions OK
Jurisdiction Employment Relations Authority - Auckland
Reference No AA 20/02
Determination date 05 February 2002
Member J Wilson
Representation Tan in person ; G Lawrence
Location Auckland
Parties Tan v New Zealand Physical Training College
Summary UNJUSTIFIED DISADVANTAGE - Warning - Agreed that employment on month by month basis - Relationship deteriorated over negotiations for permanent position - Given memoranda outlining respondent's view - Series of meetings - Issued full and final warning - Mediation attempted but unsuccessful - Applicant given opportunity to explain and mitigate conduct - Warning justified - UNJUSTIFIED DISMISSAL - Serious misconduct - Disciplinary meeting - Notified of allegation that inappropriate comment made to tutor in front of students - Further disciplinary meeting - Allegation denied - Letter of dismissal delivered at home - Written statements by students not available to applicant until after dismissal - Apparent at investigation meeting that conversation between applicant and tutor possibly misinterpreted by students due to communication difficulties - Information readily available to respondent - Failure to consider communication difficulties suggested inquiry not full and fair - Possibility of failure to give unbiased consideration to applicant's explanations - Dismissal not open to fair and reasonable employer - ARREARS OF HOLIDAY PAY - Holiday pay due and owing - Quantum to be determined by parties - Director of studies
Result Application dismissed (unjustified disadvantage) ; Application granted (unjustified dismissal) ; Reimbursement of lost wages ($4,000)(1 month) ; Compensation for humiliation etc ($2,000) ; Arrears of holiday pay (quantum reserved) ; Filing fee ($70) ; No order for costs
Cases Cited NZ (with exceptions) Food Processing etc IUOW v Unilever NZ Ltd [1990] 1 NZILR 35
Number of Pages 7
PDF File Link: PDF file not available for download, please contact us to request a copy.