Restrictions OK
Jurisdiction Employment Relations Authority - Auckland
Reference No AA 152A/10
Hearing date 12 Oct 2010
Determination date 10 November 2010
Member R A Monaghan
Representation C Bennett ; J Dowden
Location Auckland
Parties Lowndes v Dowden t/a Safeguard Security & Anor
Other Parties NS Security Ltd (Formerly Hibiscus Coast Security Ltd)
Summary UNJUSTIFIED DISMISSAL – Poor performance – Respondent raised concerns applicant failed to complete times of visits to client premises and failed to notice fork hoist left running – Applicant advised probationary period invoked – Respondent claimed applicant responsible for destruction of front wheel of work vehicle, damaging ranch slider door, and causing serious damage to patrol vehicle – Applicant invited to attend meeting – Applicant dismissed at meeting – Authority found concerns raised with applicant but did not progress to point where applicant advised successful completion of probationary period in jeopardy – Found applicant acknowledged concerns and provided explanations – Found applicant entitled to be heard on matters alleged before decision made and employer to approach allegations with open mind – Found respondent failed to adopt suitable warning procedure – Dismissal unjustified – REMEDIES – 33 percent contributory conduct – Applicant guilty of carelessness when using company vehicle – $1,300 reimbursement of lost wages appropriate – Found little evidence of injury to feelings – $1,000 compensation appropriate – Security Officer
Result Application granted ; Contributory conduct (33%) ; Reimbursement of lost wages ($1,300) ; Compensation for humiliation etc ($1,000) ; Costs reserved
Main Category Personal Grievance
Statutes ERA s67A
Cases Cited Lowndes v Dowden t/a Safeguard Security and Hibiscus Coast Security Limited unreported, R A Monaghan, 1 April 2010, AA 152/10
Number of Pages 8
PDF File Link: aa 152a_10.pdf [pdf 23 KB]