Restrictions OK
Jurisdiction Employment Relations Authority - Auckland
Reference No AA 172/10
Hearing date 24 Mar 2010
Determination date 15 April 2010
Member A Dumbleton
Representation J Watson ; P Swarbrick
Location Auckland
Parties Hapuku v The Warehouse Ltd
Summary INJUCTION – Application for interim reinstatement – Applicant dismissed without notice following several allegations of misconduct – Respondent claimed not possible to have necessary trust and confidence in applicant – Respondent began inquiry following telephone call by staff member to confidential complaint line provided by respondent to employees – Applicant argued unfair was not told identity of caller – Applicant suggested employee had agenda in respect of applicant – Authority found identity of complainant became immaterial to question of appropriate disciplinary action to be taken – Found no arguable case in relation to identity of complainant – Applicant claimed respondent failed to provide interview notes before requiring applicant to respond to allegations – Found information in interview notes conveyed orally to applicant – Applicant claimed reputation unnecessarily called into question – Found arguable case non-existent – Applicant claimed Human Resources Manager was not impartial because had discussion with applicant about acquiring BBQ – Found arguable case weak because misconduct in relation to proper procedures for making payment for BBQ – Found no prejudice – Found delay in raising allegations trivial – Found arguable case in dismissing applicant for misconduct – Found weak arguable case applicant would be reinstated if successful with claim of unjustified dismissal – Found given loss of trust and confidence reinstatement would be in name only and more severe imposition on respondent than applicant – Found applicant may not be able to meet undertakings to any damages if reinstated to payroll only – Found balance of convenience favoured respondent – Found overall justice lay in not reinstating applicant – Assistant Store Manager
Result Application dismissed ; Costs reserved
Main Category Injunction
Statutes ERA s101C;ERA s103A;ERA s125;ERA s127
Cases Cited Cliff v Air New Zealand Ltd unreported, Colgan J, 24 Feb 2005, AC 6A/05;Young v Armourguard Security Ltd unreported, G Wood, 20 Nov 2001, WA 85/01
Number of Pages 10
PDF File Link: aa 172_10.pdf [pdf 44 KB]