Restrictions OK
Jurisdiction Employment Relations Authority - Auckland
Reference No AA 308A/09
Hearing date 1 Oct 2009
Determination date 07 December 2009
Member K J Anderson
Representation P Blair ; P Swarbrick
Location Rotorua
Parties Whitney v New Zealand Post Ltd
Summary UNJUSTIFIED DISMISSAL - Serious misconduct - Applicant dismissed for serious misconduct when informed respondent of theft conviction - Applicant dismissed from previous period of employment with respondent about 10 years ago following conviction - Current conviction related to theft from previous employer - Applicant claimed dismissal unjustified as conviction related to matter outside of employment and respondent not entitled to consider previous conviction - Respondent claimed dismissal justified as applicant’s criminal conviction created breach of trust and confidence making continuation of employment relationship impossible - Authority found collective employment agreement provided receiving criminal conviction relevant to employment constituted serious misconduct warranting dismissal - Found applicant knew if received criminal conviction relevant to employment, employment at risk - Found dismissal procedurally fair - Found applicant held position requiring high level of trust, honesty and integrity - Found respondent’s conclusion applicant showed propensity to commit dishonest and illegal acts fairly and reasonably available - Found dismissal was action of fair and reasonable employer in all circumstances given applicant’s position of trust - Dismissal justified - Postal Delivery Worker
Result Application dismissed ; Costs reserved
Main Category Personal Grievance
Statutes ERA s103A
Cases Cited Ashton v Shoreline Hotel [1994] 1 ERNZ 421;Murray v A-G [2002] 1 ERNZ 184;Pou v Alliance Group Ltd unreported, J Crichton, 11 Jul 2008, CA 96/08;Whitney v New Zealand Post Ltd unreported, R A Monaghan, 28 Aug 2009, AA 308/09
Number of Pages 8
PDF File Link: aa 308a_09.pdf [pdf 40 KB]