Restrictions OK
Jurisdiction Employment Relations Authority - Wellington
Reference No WA 88/09
Hearing date 18 Jun 2009
Determination date 18 June 2009
Member P R Stapp
Representation C Stanley, E Cooney ; no appearance
Location Wellington
Parties Clarke v B Hair and Beauty Ltd
Summary UNJUSTIFIED DISMISSAL – No appearance for respondent – Applicant claimed unjustifiably dismissed without warning - Applicant unsuccessfully attempted to contact respondent after respondent failed to pay applicant wages – Following day, applicant advised to attend disciplinary meeting and then advised Police would be called if did not leave workplace – Applicant claimed dismissed – Applicant received two letters requesting applicant attend investigation concerning poor performance and alleged misconduct – Grievance raised – Authority found applicant dismissed when told to leave workplace and return later for investigation meeting – Found no arrangements made for meetings to continue – Found if applicant not dismissed, then was suspended without notice – Dismissal unjustified – REMEDIES – No contributory conduct – Reimbursement of 3 months lost wages – Found $4,000 compensation appropriate given the short length of applicant’s employment - ARREARS OF WAGES – Authority ordered respondent to pay applicant $1,700 arrears of wages – COSTS – Authority found respondent’s deliberate failure to not defend claim contributed to saving of costs – Found contribution to legal aid costs of $3,000 appropriate – Hairdresser
Result Applications granted ; Reimbursement of lost wages ($8,820) ; Compensation for humiliation etc ($4,000) ; Arrears of wages ($1,700) ; Costs awarded in favour of applicant ($3,000); Disbursements in favour of applicant ($70)(Filing fee)
Main Category Personal Grievance
Statutes ERA s131;ERA s128(2);ERA cl12, sch2
Number of Pages 6
PDF File Link: wa 88_09.pdf [pdf 23 KB]