Restrictions OK
Jurisdiction Employment Relations Authority - Auckland
Reference No AA 143/02
Hearing date 14 May 2002
Determination date 16 May 2002
Member WRC Gardiner
Representation G Gray ; J Mullany
Location Auckland
Parties Gray v Mrs Higgins Ltd
Summary UNJUSTIFIED DISMISSAL - Constructive dismissal - Offer and acceptance of position in business under construction - Construction never completed - Given alternative work - Resigned two months after commencement date - Alleged applicant given alternative position for interim - Could have refused position as not sufficiently similar to one promised - Entitled to resign in circumstances - Resignation foreseeable and caused by respondent - Constructive dismissal established - COSTS - Successful personal grievance - 2 hour investigation meeting - Failure to file statement in reply hindered co-operation - Forced counsel to prepare for all possibilities - Counsel did not attend investigation meeting - Meeting of short duration - Reasonable contribution appropriate
Result Application granted ; Reimbursement of lost wages ($2,645) ; Compensation for humiliation etc ($3,000) ; Costs in favour of applicant ($1,000)
Statutes EAR r8(3);ERA s159
Cases Cited Auckland Electric Power Board v Auckland Provincial Districts Local Authorities Officers IUOW [1994] 1 ERNZ 168;Auckland etc Shop Employees etc IUOW v Woolworths (NZ) Ltd [1985] ACJ 963 ; [1985] 2 NZLR 372 ; (1985) ERNZ Sel Cas 136;Coca-Cola Amatil (NZ) Ltd v Kaczorowski [1998] 1 ERNZ 264;Northern Clerical etc Union v Emery Customs Brokers NZ Ltd [1990] 1 NZILR 634
Number of Pages 9
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