Restrictions OK
Jurisdiction Employment Relations Authority - Wellington
Reference No WA 179/10
Hearing date 14 Oct 2010
Determination date 04 November 2010
Member D Asher
Representation K O'Sullivan ; D Mitchell
Location Wellington
Parties Temarama v Mana Coach Services Ltd
Summary UNJUSTIFIED DISMISSAL – Applicant dismissed for failing to report to work on time or notify operations staff of lateness – Applicant claimed termination invalid because disciplinary process conducted in bus not office as required by collective employment agreement (“CEA”) – Applicant frequently late to work and failed to report lateness – Applicant issued with formal written warning – Applicant subsequently issued with final written warning when late to work and did not report lateness to operations staff – Respondent rejected applicant’s claim son in hospital and delayed by road works – No road works in area – Disciplinary meeting conducted in bus – Authority found had meeting been conducted in office dismissal would likely be justified – Found respondent failed to adhere to CEA – Found respondent unfairly and unreasonably dismissed applicant – Dismissal unjustified – REMEDIES – 100 percent contributory conduct – Applicant sought reinstatement – Found reinstatement not practicable due to poor work attendance and dishonest conduct in attempting to explain lateness to work – Applicant sought compensation because respondent failed to show compassion by dismissing applicant while son in hospital – Found applicant entirely responsible for dismissal – No compensation payable – Applicant sought lost wages – Found applicant made no effort to mitigate losses – No lost wages payable – Driver
Result Application granted ; Contributory conduct (100%) ; Costs reserved
Main Category Personal Grievance
Statutes ERA s103A;ERA s125;ERA s157
Cases Cited Air New Zealand Ltd v V (2009) 9 NZELC 93,209;Allen v Transpacific Industries Group Ltd (t/a “Mediasmart Ltd”) (2009) 6 NZELR 530;Fuel Espresso Limited v Hsieh [2007] NZCA 58;New Zealand Tramways Union (Wellington Branch) v Wellington City Transport (t/a Stagecoach New Zealand) [2002] 2 ERNZ 435
Number of Pages 8
PDF File Link: wa 179_10.pdf [pdf 28 KB]