Restrictions OK
Jurisdiction Employment Relations Authority - Auckland
Reference No [2011] NZERA Auckland 250
Hearing date 10 Jun 2011
Determination date 10 June 2011
Member R Arthur
Representation S Webster (in person) ; no response
Location Auckland
Parties Webster v PCG Group Ltd
Summary ARREARS OF WAGES - No appearance for respondent - Applicant sought arrears of wages - Applicant employed on hourly rate - Respondent then reduced applicant’s hourly rate to because considered applicant’s work not good enough - Applicant resigned following unilateral reduction in pay - Claimed respondent only paid some of wages owing at termination of employment and was withholding rest as ‘damages’ because applicant and another employee had not completed work satisfactorily - Authority satisfied on basis of applicant’s evidence respondent not entitled to withhold wages due to applicant - Found no written employment agreement and no other written agreement authorising deductions for costs of rectifying substandard work - Found respondent breached Wages Protection Act 1983 - Respondent ordered to pay applicant amount of wages still owing within 14 days of date of determination - Interest awarded - Authority noted Companies Office in process of removing respondent from Companies Register - However, as respondent still registered at date of determination applicant may be entitled to apply for restoration of company to register if removed before complied with Authority’s orders - Hammer hand
Result Application granted ; Arrears of wages ($792) ; Interest (8.4%) ; Disbursements in favour of applicant ($71.56)
Main Category Arrears
Statutes ERA Second Schedule cl11;ERA Second Schedule cl12;Judicature Act 1980 s87(3);Wages Protection Act 1983 s4;Wages Protection Act 1983 s5
Number of Pages 3
PDF File Link: 2011_NZERA_Auckland_250.pdf [pdf 17 KB]