Restrictions OK
Jurisdiction Employment Relations Authority - Christchurch
Reference No CA 27/08
Hearing date 11 Mar 2008
Determination date 14 March 2008
Member D Asher
Representation R Thompson ; D Caddick
Location Christchurch
Parties Smith v Blighs Road Service Stations (1989) Ltd
Summary UNJUSTIFIED DISMISSAL – Poor performance – Applicant had eye disability affecting vision – After three weeks employment, respondent contacted applicant regarding errors in processing customer payments causing financial loss to respondent – Disability caused payment errors – Conflict in evidence - Applicant claimed dismissed despite protests that could obtain contact lenses which may correct vision – Respondent argued put errors to applicant and applicant replied could not handle position - Respondent claimed applicant requested new position without responsibility of customer payment but declined alternative position as had no vacancy – Common ground that applicant worked out one week notice period without customer payment duties – Respondent’s evidence preferred – Authority found applicant unable to cope with demands of position – Found significant changes in applicant’s recollection of key events – Found respondent’s agreement to employ applicant in lesser role for one week not consistent with applicant’s allegations – Found applicant resigned position that effectively unable to perform – No dismissal – Forecourt manager
Result Application dismissed ; Costs reserved
Main Category Personal Grievance
Statutes ERA s103A
Cases Cited NZ Food Processing IUW v Unilever [1990] 1 NZILR 35;White v Auckland District Health Board, unreported, Colgan CJ, 23;February 2007, AC 10/07
Number of Pages 7
PDF File Link: ca 27_08.pdf [pdf 25 KB]