Restrictions OK
Jurisdiction Employment Relations Authority - Christchurch
Reference No [2011] NZERA Christchurch 114
Hearing date 21 Jul 2011
Determination date 29 July 2011
Member J Crichton
Representation B Barrow (in person) ; C Saunders
Location Dunedin
Parties Barrow v Sandblasting Specialists Otago Ltd
Summary UNJUSTIFIED DISMISSAL – Applicant claimed unjustifiably dismissed by respondent – Respondent claimed demoted applicant because applicant said could no longer work with paint fumes which were part and parcel of respondent’s business – Respondent claimed applicant offered alternative employment which applicant did not take up – Authority found applicant not dismissed by email – Found email from respondent consequence of applicant’s health issues and partly because of applicant’s failure to discuss matters with respondent – Found management position no longer available to applicant but other positions were – Found applicant suffered no disadvantage – Found position had to terminate because applicant claimed could no longer work with paint – Found respondent offered applicant continued employment but not exposed to paint fumes – Found applicant refused to engage with respondent – Found only evidence provided to respondent by applicant was ACC injury claim and medical certificate – Found applicant claimed in various text messages unable to work for three months – Found respondent tried to discuss matters with applicant – No dismissal – Manager
Result Application dismissed ; Costs to lie where they fall
Main Category Personal Grievance
Statutes Health and Safety in Employment Act 1992
Number of Pages 7
PDF File Link: 2011_NZERA_Christchurch_114.pdf [pdf 24 KB]