Restrictions OK
Jurisdiction Employment Relations Authority - Auckland
Reference No AA 64/09
Hearing date 23 Feb 2009
Determination date 26 February 2009
Member L Robinson
Representation R Upton ; D France, G Mayes
Location Auckland
Parties McCauley v SCA Hygiene Australasia Ltd
Summary INTERIM INJUNCTION – Application for interim reinstatement – Applicant sought interim reinstatement following summary dismissal for misconduct – Respondent argued dismissal justified for failure to follow lawful instructions – Applicant instructed by supervisor to attend respondent’s medical centre following work injury – Applicant refused instruction but later sought attention from family doctor - Disciplinary investigation concluded failure to follow instructions amounted to misconduct and final written warning issued – Applicant dismissed – Applicant claimed arguable case existed under three heads – First, whether actual instructions were given – Second, whether instructions to only see respondent doctor lawful – Third, whether delay in seeking medical attention constituted failure to follow instructions - Authority found arguable case under all heads – Applicant claimed financial hardship, loss of reputation, ongoing stress and embarrassment not compensable – Argued lost trust and confidence in applicant due to history of misconduct – Compensation adequate – Short duration of substantive hearing weighs against reinstatement – Found balance of convenience in respondent’s favour due to unlikelihood of financial hardship and short duration of substantive hearing – Found overall justice favoured status quo – Conditional reinstatement inappropriate – Interim reinstatement declined - Product Operator
Result Application dismissed ; Costs reserved
Main Category Injunction
Statutes ERA s127;ERA s103A
Number of Pages 7
PDF File Link: aa 64_09.pdf [pdf 28 KB]