Restrictions OK
Jurisdiction Employment Relations Authority - Christchurch
Reference No CA 58/07
Hearing date 30 Mar 2007
Determination date 05 June 2007
Member H Doyle
Representation J Kilkelly ; R Harrison
Location Christchurch
Parties Turnham v Spotless Services (NZ) Ltd
Summary UNJUSTIFIED DISMISSAL - Constructive dismissal - Employment status - Employment agreement and associated paperwork stated casual employee - Evidence did not support applicant's claim pressured into signing agreement - Rosters showed features of regularity - Respondent's evidence applicant employed mainly to cover absences rather than as permanent employee accepted - Evidence supported by fact applicant offered permanent position shortly before employment ended - Applicant casual employee - Holiday pay identifiable component of pay - No other award appropriate - Applicant met with manager after complaint received - Not disciplinary meeting - Applicant very upset by raising of complaint - Her comments regarding way business run, and manager's response applicant not happy in junior position, probably not wise - Applicant advised could no longer work for manager - Evidence manager suggested applicant resign unreliable - Respondent believed applicant resigned, but contacted her after cooling off period - Applicant advised wanted her job - Parties attempted to arrange meeting but applicant did not return calls - Applicant not straight forward with evidence to Authority - Denied respondent tried to contract her, but she had actually started new job - No evidence applicant coerced to leave - Not unreasonable for respondent to raise complaint with applicant - Applicant seemed prepared to return to work after cooling off period - No constructive dismissal - UNJUSTIFIED DISADVANTAGE - Applicant's claim asked to spy on colleagues not supported - No evidence applicant disadvantaged by lack of proper induction - Advice to close shop to take breaks a practical solution, even if applicant not happy about it - Supply of product for sale an operational matter, not unjustified action - No personal grievance - Cafe worker
Result Application dismissed ; Costs reserved
Main Category Personal Grievance
Statutes Holidays Act 2003 s25;Holidays Act 2003 s25(2);Holidays Act 2003 s28(1)(a)(ii)
Number of Pages 10
PDF File Link: ca 58_07.pdf [pdf 34 KB]