Restrictions OK
Jurisdiction Employment Relations Authority - Wellington
Reference No WA 6/08
Hearing date 6 Nov 2007
Determination date 22 January 2008
Member G J Wood
Representation D Edmonds ; J Copeland
Location Napier
Parties Edmonds v Allied Petroleum (NI) Ltd
Summary UNJUSTIFIED DISMISSAL - Redundancy - Applicant alleged position not surplus to requirements - Respondent began restructuring process when acquired other operations - Planned to consolidate administration and considered remaining work would be at lower level - Applicant did not think proposed positions differed from current role - Believed she should receive redundancy payout and be rehired in new position - Applicant refused to apply when roles advertised as felt would be accepting positions were different - Also refused to be interviewed for new position as considered respondent already knew about her - Other internal applicant appointed and applicant given notice of termination - Compressing of three original roles into two lower level positions made it justifiable for respondent to conclude new role substantially different from applicant’s supervisory role - Applicant alleged disparity of treatment compared to other staff who were restructured and retained employment - Other staff had agreed changes with respondent - No disparity of treatment - While applicant may consider appointment of other worker unfair, responsibility was hers as did not apply for position - Redundancy implemented fairly - Dismissal justified - Administration Supervisor
Result Application dismissed ; Costs reserved
Main Category Personal Grievance
Statutes ERA s103A
Cases Cited Aoraki Corporation Limited v McGavin [1998] 1 ERNZ 601;Coutts Cars Limited v Baguley [2001] ERNZ 60;GN Hale & Son Limited v Wellington Caretakers etc IUOW [1990] 2 NZLR 1079;New Zealand Fasteners Limited v Thwaites [2000] 1 ERNZ 739;NZPSA v Department of Conservation [1991] 1 ERNZ 477;Rolls v Wellington Gas Co. Limited [1998] 3 ERNZ 116;Sides v. Special Education Service [1993] 1 ERNZ 133
Number of Pages 10
PDF File Link: wa 6_08.pdf [pdf 36 KB]