Restrictions OK
Jurisdiction Employment Relations Authority - Auckland
Reference No AA 427/08
Hearing date 20 Nov 2008
Determination date 17 December 2008
Member M Urlich
Representation F Deniher (Applicant in person) ; G Phillips
Location Auckland
Parties Deniher v Chief Executive of Accident Compensation Corporation
Summary UNJUSTIFIED DISADVANTAGE – Applicant claimed unjustifiably disadvantaged by repeated unsuccessful applications for position vacancies within respondent – Applicant claimed positions all fell within applicant’s range of skills and experience – Applicant claimed respondent obligated to advise applicant of any deficit impeding his success – Respondent argued treated each position application on merits and internal applicants treated same as external applicants – Respondent argued feedback available but applicant did not request it – Respondent argued applicant successful in attaining position following requested feedback session and interview coaching – Authority noted respondent consented to raising of personal grievance after expiration of 90 day limitation – Applicant granted secondment then short term position in different branch – Applicant wished to relocate but permanent applications unsuccessful – Applicant raised, withdrew, then resubmitted personal grievance – Parties settled grievance – Authority drew line under all events prior to record of settlement – Authority found fundamental difficulty of how personal grievance, which must be based on terms and conditions of employment, could arise from applications for future employment – Found no evidence respondent had view of applicant which negatively impacted on applications – Found applicant declined earlier feedback offers – Found respondent’s position reasonable given feedback would have concerned positions applied for, not position in which applicant employed at time – Applicant claimed unreasonable not to appoint applicant to position identical to applicant’s but for location – Authority found positions not same and each considered on merits – No unjustified disadvantage - Case manager
Result Application dismissed ; Costs reserved
Main Category Personal Grievance
Statutes ERA s103(1)(b);ERA s114;ERA s114(3)
Cases Cited Matthes v NZ Post Ltd [1994] 1 ERNZ 994
Number of Pages 8
PDF File Link: aa 427_08.pdf [pdf 40 KB]