Restrictions OK
Jurisdiction Employment Relations Authority - Christchurch
Reference No CA 115/09
Hearing date 10 Mar 2009
Determination date 29 July 2009
Member P Montgomery
Representation G Abdinor ; I Thompson
Location Christchurch
Parties Hancox v Victoria Street Cafe & Restaurant Ltd
Summary UNJUSTIFIED DISMISSAL – Constructive dismissal – Respondent claimed applicant resigned – Applicant disputed this - Respondent advised applicant of shortfall in till balance – Applicant recalled why this occurred and advised respondent – Applicant misunderstood respondent’s reaction and heated debate ensued – Applicant upset and subsequently left premises – Applicant returned to work following day – Respondent held meeting with applicant to discuss various allegations never previously raised and suggested applicant resign - Authority found applicant did not resign – Found applicant dismissed unjustifiably by respondent failing to investigate incident – Remedies – No contributory conduct – Found applicant worked on average 43 hours per week – Applicant entitled to lost remuneration for 13 weeks based on average hours per week – Reduced by 10 working days for sick leave – Applicant entitled to refund for return of uniform of $120.00 – $6,000 compensation appropriate – Duty manager
Result Application granted ; Reimbursement of lost wages (Quantum to be determined) – Reimbursement for return of uniform ($120.00) ; Compensation for humiliation etc ($6,000) ; Costs reserved
Main Category Personal Grievance
Statutes ERA s103A;ERA s124
Cases Cited Boobyer v Good Health Wanganui Ltd unreported, Goddard CJ, 24 Feb 1994, WEC 3/94;Kostic v Dodd unreported, Couch J, 11 July 2007, CC14/07;Monteith v Hakansson unreported, Shaw J, 18 March 2008, WC 5/08
Number of Pages 11
PDF File Link: ca 115_09.pdf [pdf 45 KB]