Media statement Wednesday, February 20th, 2003

Getting sacked more lucrative in Wellington

Analysis of the cost of awards given against employers arising from personal grievance claims shows Wellington is the best city to get sacked in.

The monetary value for all types of personal grievance awarded by the Employment Relations Authority last year was $1500 higher in Wellington than Auckland, and $1200 more in Wellington than in Christchurch.

The Employers & Manufacturers Association (Northern) analysed the 637 determinations made by the Employment Relations Authority nationally to compare them with the 2001 total of 397 cases. Of these about half of all the cases heard in both years were for personal grievance claims.

"Though the total number of cases went up, the average amounts awarded for them dropped slightly," said Graeme Perfect, EMA's Manager of Employer Services.

"In 2001, the average amount awarded was $8,973.68 compared to last year's average of $8,202.49.

"Business should take heart from the fairness of the Employment Relations Authority as employers won about half the cases taken.

"In 2002 employers in Auckland won 52 per cent of the 212 personal grievance claims (110). Further south they fared worse. In Wellington employers won 24 of 56 cases, and in Christchurch 25 of 61 cases.

"We don't know why the number of cases settled before ERA hearings got underway in Auckland differed from those in Wellington or Christchurch. Only 7.3 per cent of claims were settled in this way in Auckland, whereas in Wellington settlement was achieved for 23 per cent of cases, and in Christchurch for 24 per cent.

"Overall, as we've said before, the Employment Relations Authority is working reasonably well and fairly for both employers and employees."

ENDS

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