Restrictions OK
Jurisdiction Employment Relations Authority - Christchurch
Reference No CA 140/10
Hearing date 29 Apr 2010
Determination date 01 July 2010
Member J Crichton
Representation K Murray ; A Higgins
Location Christchurch
Parties Tatterson v T R Smart Ltd t/a Robbie's Bar and Bistro New Brighton
Summary UNJUSTIFIED DISMISSAL – UNJUSTIFIED DISADVANTAGE – Applicant claimed unjustifiably dismissed and subjected to disadvantage as consequence of unjustified actions and unlawful discrimination – Authority found applicant resigned – Found no encouragement by respondent for applicant to leave employment – Found no unlawful discrimination – Found applicant suffered disadvantage by having to carry training debt since end of employment – REMEDIES – No contributory conduct – $1,000 compensation appropriate – $5,035 reimbursement of unpaid tuition fees owing – COUNTERCLAIM – BREACH OF CONTRACT – Training agreement between parties provided if applicant left employment inside three year period, applicant to repay course fees – Respondent alleged breach of contract – Applicant claimed fulfilled obligations under training agreement – Respondent claimed applicant obligated to repay full course fees – Found parties reached training agreement three years prior to applicant’s resignation – Found applicant fulfilled obligations to respondent under training agreement – Training agreement provided course fees to be reimbursed by respondent upon applicant passing relevant courses – Found respondent failed to fulfil obligation – Found tuition fees due and owing – Apprentice chef
Result Application dismissed (unjustified dismissal) ; Application dismissed (counterclaim) ; Application granted (unjustified disadvantage) ; Compensation for humiliation etc ($1,000) ; Reimbursement of tuition fees ($5,035) ; Costs reserved ; Disbursements in favour of applicant ($70)(filing fee)
Main Category Personal Grievance
Statutes ERA s124
Number of Pages 8
PDF File Link: ca 140_10.pdf [pdf 31 KB]