Restrictions OK
Jurisdiction Employment Relations Authority - Auckland
Reference No AA 153/07
Hearing date 18 May 2007
Determination date 18 May 2007
Member L Robinson
Representation A Sheriff (in person) ; J Trotman
Location Auckland
Parties Sheriff v R.W. & A.C. King Ltd
Summary UNJUSTIFIED DISMISSAL - Summary dismissal - Serious misconduct - Applicant retrieved one of two deliveries from respondent's depot on shift - Manager unsuccessfully attempted to contact him - Respondent's director went to delivery address to raise matter with applicant - Differing accounts of what occurred - Applicant claimed director blocked his truck, yelled at him, and told him to get out of truck - Director's evidence preferred - Director instructed applicant to pick up other delivery, but he refused - Claimed had completed assigned delivery for working day and was going to appointment - Informed applicant because refused to follow instructions, was dismissed - Applicant drove away - Director issued instructions within applicant's working hours - Entitled to direct applicant to make delivery - Applicant refused to comply with lawful and reasonable instruction - No need for further enquiry or investigation in face of applicant's direct and open defiance - Applicant's deliberate refusal to comply evidenced an intention not to be bound by terms of employment agreement - Repudiatory conduct - Respondent entitled to regard agreement at an end - Actions and how it acted those of fair and reasonable employer - Dismissal justified - Delivery driver
Result Application dismissed ; Costs reserved
Main Category Personal Grievance
Statutes ERA s103A
Number of Pages 5
PDF File Link: aa 153_07.pdf [pdf 22 KB]