Restrictions OK
Jurisdiction Employment Relations Authority - Auckland
Reference No AA 233/09
Hearing date 7 Jul 2009
Determination date 16 July 2009
Member V Campbell
Representation J Dunlop (Applicant in person) ; C Revfem
Location Auckland
Parties Dunlop v Envirostate Ltd
Summary UNJUSTIFIED DISMISSAL – Poor performance – Applicant subject to three month trial period – Applicant’s performance reviewed at one month point and was dismissed – Applicant claimed dismissal unjustified – Respondent failed to provide performance targets to applicant at one month review – Authority found no examples of how applicant could improve performance given at one month review – Applicant sought legal advice as recommended by respondent – Applicant informed respondent of obligations under Employment Relations Act 2000 – Respondent outlined performance issues and retracted dismissal – Applicant responded to performance concerns – Respondent argued applicant merely provided excuses – Respondent suggested ways to improve performance – Parties failed to negotiate exit package - Authority found respondent did not act fairly in bringing applicant’s employment to end during trial period – Dismissal unjustified – REMEDIES – Respondent destroyed trust and confidence with premature dismissal – Applicant’s employment would not be confirmed at end of trial period – Applicant paid up until end of trial period – No lost wages – No reimbursement of lost benefits being company car – Company car only available after successful completion of trial period – No profit share – Termination caused hurt and humiliation – Employment for short time – $3,000 compensation appropriate – Sustainable education program manager
Result Application granted ; Compensation for humiliation etc ($3,000) ; Costs reserved
Main Category Personal Grievance
Statutes ERA s103A
Cases Cited Nelson Air Ltd v NZALPA [1992] ERNZ 632
Number of Pages 7
PDF File Link: aa 233_09.pdf [pdf 29 KB]