Bosses win more in Auckland

Disaffected employees stand a better chance of winning a personal grievance claim outside Auckland, a new study has found.

The finding comes from the Employers and Manufacturers Association, which analysed decisions by the Employment Relations Authority for last year.

Association advisory manager David Lowe said not only the outcome, but the amount of money awarded, varied depending upon region and the adjudicator assigned.

"You can't tell me that Wellington employers are any different to employers elsewhere," he said.

"Those employees taking grievances before (Wellington-based) Employment Relations Authority member Denis Asher - enjoyed a remarkable 75 per cent success rate.

"Asher has awarded 'hurt and humiliation' cases an average of $9278, three times more than some of his colleagues and almost twice the national average of $5609."

Lowe said Auckland employees had less than 50 per cent chance of winning and would feel "hard done by" compared with South Island employees.

"The inconsistencies would be comical if it weren't for the fact that the livelihood of both employees and employers are on the line."

Lowe said dismissal laws introduced last year had made the process more complicated and employers perceived the selection of authority members for hearings as a lottery.

"Employers tripped up over the technicalities of the process, though there was nothing wrong with what they were trying to do."

Although employees' cases could be justified, hearings needed to be more consistent, he said.

"Clearly the authority has found that they [employees] are entitled to something.

"The issue for us is why employers in Wellington are being ordered to pay more than those in Auckland."

The Employment Relations Authority was not available for comment.

Decisions by region 2004

Employment Relations Authority decisions in favour of employees

Auckland 108 out of 232(47 per cent)

Wellington 27 out of 43 (63 per cent)

Christchurch 45 out of 71 (63 per cent)

New Zealand 180 out of 346 (52 per cent)