Restrictions OK
Jurisdiction Employment Relations Authority - Auckland
Reference No AA 452/09
Hearing date 25 Nov 2009
Determination date 16 December 2009
Member K J Anderson
Representation S Scott, A Singh ; D France
Location Hamilton
Parties Hobson v University of Waikato
Summary UNJUSTIFIED DISMISSAL – Redundancy – Applicant claimed respondent failed to apply fair and reasonable selection criteria – Respondent argued criteria fairly applied to all candidates – No dispute regarding genuineness of redundancy – Applicant notified of intended disestablishment of position – Interviews held with candidates to decide which position would be made redundant – Interviews were 20 minutes, candidates asked identical questions, and scored for their responses – Applicant scored lowest by mere margin and made redundant – Applicant claimed respondent did not ensure all candidates held or met essential requirements – Respondent argued all candidates scored well, however, respondent fell short in regard to communication skills – Authority found respondent had sufficient knowledge of candidates’ essential skills and abilities to arrive at fair decision – Found respondent applied genuine and fair selection criteria – Dismissal justified – Carpenter
Result Application dismissed ; Costs reserved
Main Category Personal Grievance
Statutes ERA s103A
Cases Cited McEnaney v Telecom New Zealand Ltd unreported, J M Goldstein, 10 Oct 1994, CT 172/94;Simpson Farms Ltd v Aberhart [2006] ERNZ 825
Number of Pages 5
PDF File Link: aa 452_09.pdf [pdf 17 KB]