Restrictions OK
Jurisdiction Employment Relations Authority - Auckland
Reference No AA 318/08
Hearing date 19 Jun 2008
Determination date 04 September 2008
Member L Robinson
Representation AWR Haworth (in person) ; C Morgan (in person)
Location Auckland
Parties Haworth t/a Travelcom v Morgan
Summary BREACH OF CONTRACT - Applicant claimed respondent liable for damages for breach of contract - Respondent took no steps to defend matter but Authority granted leave to do so at investigation meeting - Applicant sent memorandum to all staff advising care to be observed in managing client files and checks to be made to ensure correct amount of all costs accounted for - Memorandum stated in event of non-observance applicant would seek compensation and recovery of all losses and non-observance would constitute breach of trust and contract - Respondent banked $2,409 less than actual cost of travel for a group - Authority found implied term of respondent's employment that would use reasonable skill and care in performance of duties - Authority found respondent acted in breach of implied term by failing to secure correct cost of travel and that respondent admitted did so - Authority noted ordinarily would not be persuaded to find employee liable to employer for mere or innocent breach of implied term - However, found memorandum together with previous incident of similar breach by respondent persuaded Authority was case of more than mere or technical breach - Authority found respondent’s breach of contract caused applicant loss and respondent ought to be liable for that loss - Respondent to pay applicant $2,409 damages for breach of contract - Costs - Authority found as neither party represented by professional advocate would be no order for costs - Travel Consultant
Result Application granted ; Damages ($2,409) ; No order for costs
Main Category Breach of Contract
Number of Pages 3
PDF File Link: aa 318_08.pdf [pdf 16 KB]