Restrictions OK
Jurisdiction Employment Relations Authority - Auckland
Reference No AA 453/09
Hearing date 20 Mar 2009 - 5 May 2009 (2 days)
Determination date 16 December 2009
Member A Dumbleton
Representation R Reed ; G Pollak
Location Auckland
Parties Seng & Anor v Sunshine Tiling Ltd
Summary UNJUSTIFIED DISMISSAL – Second applicant claimed unjustifiably dismissed by respondent when work permit expired – Respondent argued dismissal justified to prevent further breach of Immigration Act 1987 (“IA”) – IA made offence for employer to employ someone known not entitled to work in New Zealand – Authority found second applicant bound to resign or cease working for respondent when permit expired – Found second applicant obliged to leave New Zealand when permit expired but did not – Found respondent’s actions those of fair and reasonable employer in taking immediate steps to not offer further work; ending unlawful relationship – Second applicant’s argument that dismissal predetermined rejected – Found dismissal justified – Second applicant’s claim to recover overtime rejected – First applicant claimed dismissal unjustified for failure to perform employment agreement due to work injury – Authority accepted respondent able to invoke dismissal provision in employment agreement where employee disabled or incapacitated for 8 week period – Found first applicant failed to remain reasonably communicative with respondent – Found dismissal justified – UNJUSTIFIED DISADVANTAGE – Authority rejected first applicant’s argument compelled by respondent to work in way contrary to medical certificates – Grouter
Result Applications dismissed (Dismissal)(Disadvantage) ; Costs reserved
Main Category Personal Grievance
Statutes ERA s103A;Immigration Act 1987 s5(1);Immigration Act 1987 s45
Cases Cited Otago Hotel IUOW v Donaldson & Youngman (1988) 2 NZELC 95,895
Number of Pages 10
PDF File Link: aa 453_09.pdf [pdf 34 KB]