Restrictions OK
Jurisdiction Employment Relations Authority - Auckland
Reference No AA 405/08
Hearing date 10 Nov 2008
Determination date 27 November 2008
Member R A Monaghan
Representation A Taylor ; K Queenin (in person)
Location Hamilton
Parties Rogers v Queenin
Summary ARREARS OF WAGES – No appearance for respondent – Authority found respondent’s previous written responses amounted to information but not sworn evidence – No written employment agreement (“EA”) – Respondent sold business and applicant reemployed by purchaser – Purchaser discovered applicant’s salary underpaid by $48 per week – Authority awarded payment of shortfall - ARREARS OF HOLIDAY PAY – Authority found in absence of EA, relied on provisions of Holidays Act 2003 to calculate annual leave – Applicant claimed respondent deducted annual leave day for Dominion Day, which was observed as special holiday in legal profession – Applicant claimed several days off deducted from annual leave were time off in lieu - Authority found respondent incorrectly deducted annual leave – Found agreement for sale and purchase provided purchaser to take responsibility for leave entitlements – Five days’ leave deducted from arrears of holiday sum – Interest payable at 7.8 percent from date of termination of employment to date of payment - UNJUSTIFIED DISADVANTAGE – Authority found unclear which of applicant’s claims regarding failure to provide EA and payslips, workplace stress and heavy workload, and respondent’s unavailability were relied on for disadvantage grievance – Found only stress concern capable of falling within s103(1)(b) Employment Relations Act 2000 (“ERA”) – Found may not have been raised within 90 days – Found applicant experienced stress related to workload, respondent’s unavailability and absence from office, and aspects of dealing with clients and client files – Found while period was difficult for applicant and respondent, circumstances not sufficient to meet requirements of s103(1)(b) ERA – No unjustified disadvantage - Legal executive
Result Applications granted (arrears of wages)(arrears of holiday pay) ; Application dismissed (disadvantage) ; Arrears of wages ($2,259.76) ; Arrears of holiday pay ($378.84) ; Interest (7.8%) ; Disbursements in favour of applicant ($70)(filing fee)
Main Category Arrears
Statutes ERA s103(1)(b);ERA s114;Holidays Act 2003 s15(d);Holidays Act 2003 s23(2)
Number of Pages 6
PDF File Link: aa 405_08.pdf [pdf 23 KB]