Restrictions OK
Jurisdiction Employment Relations Authority - Wellington
Reference No WA 71/07
Hearing date 30 Apr 2007
Determination date 07 May 2007
Member D Asher
Representation G Rossiter ; G O'Sullivan
Location Wellington
Parties Fenerty v Max Tarr Industrial Ltd
Summary RESTRAINT OF TRADE - Applicant sought declaration restraint of trade not part of employment agreement - Alternatively, declaration clause void and unenforceable - When applicant gave notice, respondent pointed out restraint that applied to significant or regular clients - Applicant checked his copy of employment agreement and found relevant page unreadable due to photocopy misfeed - No issues arose in respect of defective page as applicant accepted read and signed clear copy of agreement - New employer within scope of clause - No evidence applicant used position with respondent to undermine its relationship or good will with new employer - Applicant not respondent's exclusive representative for new employer and relationship of limited duration - Unlimited geography of restraint could be ignored as location unchanged - 12 month duration excessive - Applicant not specialist and employed under generic employment agreement - Duration amended to three months - Applicant not to undertake duties for new employer that he performed for respondent for three months from date commenced new employment - Industrial tradesman
Result Orders accordingly ; Costs reserved
Main Category Restraint of Trade
Cases Cited Cain v Turners and Growers Fresh Ltd [1998] 3 ERNZ 314;Force Four NZ Ltd v Curtling [1994] 1 ERNZ 542;Fuel Espresso Ltd v Hsieh [2007] 2 NZLR 651;Radio Horowhenua Ltd v Bradley [1993] 2 ERNZ 1085
Number of Pages 7
PDF File Link: wa 71_07.pdf [pdf 26 KB]