Restrictions OK
Jurisdiction Employment Relations Authority - Christchurch
Reference No CA 12/09
Determination date 30 January 2009
Member J Crichton
Representation A McDonald (In person) ; D Gogna
Location Christchurch
Parties McDonald v Be Gorgeous New Zealand Ltd
Summary PRACTICE AND PROCEDURE – Identity of respondent – Applicant’s first employment agreement (“EA”) with Gorgeous Hair New Zealand – Employment relationship transferred to respondent following ownership restructure – Respondent presented applicant with second EA – Applicant refused to sign claiming terms “onerous” – Authority found respondent correct respondent due to transfer of employment relationship and second EA applied - RECOVERY OF MONIES – Applicant claimed entitled to reimbursement of costs – Respondent claimed withholding of proceeds due to applicant owing respondent money and no liability to reimburse under second EA – Applicant claimed work related costs incurred in relation to truck rental and travel expenses – Respondent claimed company policy to withhold reimbursements for 12 months and applicant not entitled to reimbursement due to resigning before period completed – Authority found second EA “so vague as to be meaningless” therefore first EA applied to reimbursement - Found applicant entitled to immediate reimbursement of work costs under first EA – Respondent ordered to reimburse applicant costs – ARREAR OF WAGES AND HOLIDAY PAY - Second EA provided for deduction of wages for unreturned and damaged property - Applicant’s evidence items returned undamaged preferred - Authority found under s4 Wages Protection Act 1983 employee entitled to wages without deduction unless written consent given – Found no consent and no circumstances to justify deductions – Found second EA contrary to law – Respondent to pay applicant sums owed
Result Applications granted ; Arrears of wages ($1072) ; Reimbursement of expenses incurred by employee ($485) ; Disbursement in favour of applicant ($70)(Filling fee)
Main Category Arrears
Statutes Wages Protection Act 1983 s4
Number of Pages 7
PDF File Link: ca 12_09.pdf [pdf 27 KB]