Restrictions OK
Jurisdiction Employment Relations Authority - Auckland
Reference No AA 274/07
Hearing date 21 Aug 2007
Determination date 05 September 2007
Member J Scott
Representation K Single ; no appearance
Location Tauranga
Parties Smillie v Forrester Furniture 2006 Ltd
Summary UNJUSTIFED DISADVANTAGE - No appearance by respondent - Applicant resigned and prepared record of all wages owing - However respondent did not settle up arrears and subsequent payment incomplete - Respondent also presented applicant with bill for purchases made from store at prices higher than allegedly agreed to - When applicant raised personal grievance, respondent contacted police alleging number of items stolen and search warrant executed at applicant’s home - Applicant submitted all items either obtained legitimately or never in her possession - Applicant’s evidence accepted - However, although complaint to police and subsequent search caused applicant much distress not an unjustifiable action that affected employment as occurred after she resigned - Other matters raised by applicant more appropriately dealt with as arrears claim - No unjustified disadvantage - ARREARS OF WAGES AND HOLIDAY PAY - Applicant’s evidence of arrears owing accepted - Arrears due and owing - Although applicant accepted owed some money to respondent for staff purchases no written authority for deductions to be made from wages - Authority accepted applicant would settle account - Shop assistant
Result Applicant granted (Arrears) ; Arrears of wages and holiday pay ($623.61) ; Expenses ($79.97) ; Application dismissed (Disadvantage) ; Costs in favour of applicant ($1,000)
Main Category Personal Grievance
Statutes ERA s4;ERA s65;ERA s103(1)(b);ERA Second Schedule cl12;Wages Protection Act 1983 s5
Number of Pages 9
PDF File Link: aa 274_07.pdf [pdf 41 KB]