Restrictions OK
Jurisdiction Employment Relations Authority - Auckland
Reference No AA 221/10
Hearing date 18 Feb 2010
Determination date 10 May 2010
Member L Robinson
Representation D Church (Applicant in person) ; M Wisker
Location Auckland
Parties Church v James Hardie NZ Ltd
Summary UNJUSTIFIED DISMISSAL - Redundancy - Applicant dismissed for redundancy following consultation process - As result of economic downturn respondent had sought to reduce costs - Respondent determined functions of applicant's role could be absorbed by other positions - Applicant claimed for last two weeks of employment under duress as subordinate employee refusing to cooperate and position under threat - Following dismissal applicant saw advertisement for what he believed was position had been made redundant from - Applicant claimed dismissal unjustified - Authority found decision to redistribute functions performed by applicant amongst existing roles legitimate decision - Found decision to disestablish applicant's role genuine commercial decision - Redundancy genuine - Found consultation process full and fair - Found applicant consulted, participated in process, and offered feedback - Found respondent's actions those of fair and reasonable employer - Found advertised role not applicant's former role - Found no issue around subordinate employee that had any relevance to redundancy decision - Dismissal justified - Environment Health and Safety Manager
Result Application dismissed ; Costs reserved
Main Category Personal Grievance
Statutes ERA s103A
Number of Pages 4
PDF File Link: aa 221_10.pdf [pdf 20 KB]