Restrictions OK
Jurisdiction Employment Relations Authority - Auckland
Reference No AA 25/01
Determination date 28 March 2001
Member J Wilson
Representation M Corlett & S Hachache ; W Peters
Location Auckland
Parties Northland Pathology Laboratory Ltd v Vermeulen
Summary BREACH OF CONTRACT - Whether respondent wrongfully repudiated employment contact - Respondent terminated contract - Alleged constructive dismissal - No provision in contract for respondent's termination by notice - Whether misrepresentation of duties to be performed - Whether sufficient breach of contract caused resignation - Obligation to provide full and accurate information to job applicant - Opportunity given to clarify issues relating to employment - Respondent failed to make a sufficient effort to preserve the relationship - No breach of duty by employer - No constructive dismissal - Penalty against respondent for wrongly repudiating contract - Pathologist
Result Application granted ; Damages ($6,700) ; Penalty ($1,000)(payable to applicant) ; Penalty ($1,000)(payable to Crown) ; Costs reserved
Statutes Contractual Remedies Act 1979 s7(2);Contractual Remedies Act 1979 s8(2);Contractual Remedies Act 1979 s9(1);ERA s134;ERA s135;ERA s136;ERA s161;ERA s162
Cases Cited Auckland Electric Power Board v Auckland Provincial District Local Authorities IUOW [1994] 1 ERNZ 168;Auckland etc Shop Employees etc IUOW v Woolworths (NZ) Ltd [1985] ACJ 963;Clark v Vita New Zealand Ltd unreported, Colgan J, 17 March 1997 (AEC 21/97);PPP Industries Ltd v Doggett [1996] 2 ERNZ 234;Skywards Catering Ltd v Apthorp-Hall [1995] 2 ERNZ 218;Thomson v Rankin [1993] 1 NZLR 408
Number of Pages 16
PDF File Link: aa 25_01.pdf [pdf 93 KB]