Restrictions OK
Jurisdiction Employment Relations Authority - Auckland
Reference No AA 336/09
Hearing date 8 Sep 2009
Determination date 16 September 2009
Member Y S Oldfield
Representation J Hancock ; W Eade
Location Auckland
Parties Curtis v Lancom Technology Ltd
Summary RAISING PERSONAL GRIEVANCE – Applicant claimed constructive dismissal grievance raised within time – Respondent argued grievance raised when applicant first notified work hours reduced therefore not within time – Applicant employed part-time and subsequently advised work hours reduced – Applicant declined revised work schedule – Two weeks later, applicant received emailed requesting applicant accept new work hours – Email provided applicant must leave workplace if new hours not accepted – Applicant claimed unilateral change of work hours unjustified - Claimed email sought applicant’s agreement on basis that if terms not accepted, dismissal would result – Applicant received holiday day pay – Applicant’s representative formally raised grievance two months later - Authority found employment did not end when applicant first advised of reduced work hours – Found employment did not continue until applicant received holiday pay – Found respondent ended employment relationship by sending email requesting applicant either accept new hours or resign – Grievance raised within time – Found if grievance not raised within time, leave would be granted – Found no written employment agreement (“EA”) explaining procedures for resolving employment relationship problems – Found absence of EA contributed to delay in pursing grievance, therefore exceptional circumstance present – Found even if respondent’s argument correct, grievance would be only one day out of time therefore still just to grant leave – Office Junior
Result Application granted ; Parties directed to mediation ; Costs reserved
Main Category Raising PG
Statutes ERA s65;ERA s114;ERA s114(4);ERA s114(4)(a);ERA s115(c)
Number of Pages 7
PDF File Link: aa 336_09.pdf [pdf 25 KB]