Restrictions OK
Jurisdiction Employment Relations Authority - Auckland
Reference No AA 330/08
Hearing date 21 Aug 2008
Determination date 19 September 2008
Member M Urlich
Representation NR Rodgers (in person) ; R Towner
Location Auckland
Parties Rodgers v Perrys Automotive Group (North Shore) Ltd t/a Perrys West Auckland
Summary UNJUSTIFIED DISMISSAL – Incapacity – Claimed dismissal unjustified because respondent refused to place applicant on light duties, told ACC case manager was dismissed, and refused to make available relevant information – Applicant injured wrist at work – Applicant unsuccessfully attempted return to work following week and from then on received accident related compensation – Applicant issued with medical certificate stating to be off work for month – Three weeks later applicant issued with second certificate for further three weeks of light duties – Respondent argued had no light duties to offer applicant – ACC workplace assessment concluded applicant’s injury prevented performance of current role and therefore return to work programme could not be established – Subsequent medical certificates stated applicant unfit for all duties – Authority found respondent fairly considered whether light duties available – Found return to work attempted but unsuccessful – Authority rejected applicant’s argument that applicant dismissed by ACC case manager – Authority accepted respondent’s submission that failure to provide applicant’s notes from meetings did not prejudice applicant – Authority found no evidence accidents applicant sustained at work resulted from failures by respondent to provide safe workplace – Authority found procedural defects in dismissal did not alter outcome – Dismissal justified – Car groomer
Result Application dismissed ; Costs reserved
Main Category Personal Grievance
Statutes ERA s103A
Cases Cited Barnett v The Northern Region Trust Board of the Order of St John [2003] 2 ERNZ 730;Barry v Wilson Parking New Zealand (1992) Ltd [1998] 1 ERNZ 545
Number of Pages 6
PDF File Link: aa 330_08.pdf [pdf 31 KB]