Restrictions OK
Jurisdiction Employment Relations Authority - Wellington
Reference No WA 128/09
Hearing date 1 Sep 2009
Determination date 07 September 2009
Member D Asher
Representation J Murphy ; A Paddison
Location Wellington
Parties Cottle v Maintenance Manawatu Ltd
Summary UNJUSTIFIED DISMISSAL – Redundancy – Applicant claimed unfairly selected for redundancy – Respondent argued followed proper procedures and used objective criteria in selection process – Respondent advised applicant work hours reduced due to decreased business – Applicant received letter outlining business restructure and requested applicant attend meeting – Respondent held group meetings and meetings with individual employees – Applicant missed final individual meeting with respondent – Applicant’s position terminated for redundancy – Authority found redundancy for genuine business reasons – Found respondent held meetings to consult applicant on restructure, however applicant failed to pay attention to matters – Found respondent used objective selection criteria but failed to advise applicant of selection criteria therefore no opportunity for input provided – Found even if opportunity given, outcome would be same – Found no evidence to support applicant’s claim respondent made threats – Found no evidence to support respondent’s allegation applicant in possession of respondent’s property – Dismissal justified – Builder
Result Application dismissed ; Costs reserved
Main Category Personal Grievance
Statutes ERA s103A
Cases Cited Coutts Cars Ltd v Baguley [2001] ERNZ 660;Simpsons Farms v Aberhart [2006] ERNZ 825
Number of Pages 7
PDF File Link: wa 128_09.pdf [pdf 26 KB]