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Tsiabon v Deou Motors Ltd [2002] VUSC 5; Civil Case 111 of 2000 (11 February 2002)

IN THE SUPREME COURT OF

THE REPUBLIC OF VANUATU

(Civil Jurisdiction)

Civil Case No.111 of 2000

BETWEEN:

LAURENT TSIABON

Plaintiff

AND:

DEOU MOTORS LIMITED

Defendant

Coram: R. Marum J. MBE

Mr. Jack Kilu for the plaintiff

Mr. Silas Hakwa for the defendant

JUDGMENT

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Action

Termination of contract of employment.

Nature

< defendant employed the plaintiff for 11 years. In 1994 he w he was their Personal Manager, 1996 as Assistant Manager and in 1996 to 1999 he was appointed Personal and Assistant Manager, and enjoyed the benefit as Personal and Assistant Manager as follows: - Salary VT150,000 per month, rent free house, and a car.

ass="MsoNoMsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; margin-top: 1; margin-bottom: 1"> This was the highest job and entitlement he was enjoy At this post the plaintiff then suffered illness in A in April 1998 and had an operation on 4th May 1998 and rested for 30 days, in addition he had other four medical illnesses over his operation. Lastly he had another operation on 12th August 1999. The defendant demoted the plaintiff to the position of Supervisor of Deou Motors; his salary was reduced to VT80,000 reason that he was negligent in his responsibilities.

By letter of 1st Septemb00 the defendant further reduce his salary from VT80,000 as supervisor to VT50,000 as00 as sale assistant. The reason was that the plaintiff was not recovering money on bills unpaid.

Due to the demotion the plaintiff seek a month leave eason for under pressure in September 1999. In October 1999 1999 the plaintiff requested the defendant to dismiss him. The General Manager refuse to dismiss him but for him to resume duty.

The plaintiff did not resume duty and the plaintiff wrote letter of 25th October 1999 demanding the defendefendant to dismiss him within 14 days.

The defendant did not respons the plaintiff terminated his own employment on 7th November 1999 by refusrefusing to go back to work with the defendant.

Issues

1) &nnbsp; &nnbsp; &nbp; &nbp; &n p; Was the plainplaintiff an employee of the defendant?

2)  p; &nsp; &nbbsp; &nbbsp; Waan>Was the plaintiff demoted?

3) ;&nbssp; &nsp; &nsp;  p; &nnsp;&&nsp; &nbp; De thendant tant terminae plaf?

4)  p; &nnsp;&&nsp; &nbp; &nbbp;&nnbp;& span>Did the the defendefendant commit a serious b of cct?

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Issue No. 1. Was the plaintiff an employee of the defendant?

Generally, the defendant was the employer of the plaintiff. He first started work with Laho Motors then Deou Motors. The defendant counsel advances that Deou Motors was a different company to Laho Motors. On this advancement, the change of name is not of great significant as the plaintiff continued to work in the same work place and with work duties and responsibilities performed there. Even though the name was change the subject remains the same. Under s. 54 (d) of the Employment Act he will be treated as continues employment. The various positions he occupied are generally not disputed. In his last position as Assistant Manager and Personal Manager he was responsible to look after the Deou Motors complex, and Mr. Ouchida was the General Manager.

I find the plaintiff was an employee o defendant for eleven years until he walked off his jhis job.

Issue No.2: Was the plaintiff demoted?

There is no dispute that the plaintiff was demoted from Personal/Assistant Manager to a lower position and was paid salary of VT80,000 per month and again demoted to Sales Assistant and was paid VT50,000 per month.

The situation when the plaintiff was sick, and he claimed that his sickness was due to him performrforming other additional works, such as towing truck or vehicle back to the garage. Mr. Ouchida agreed that the plaintiff goes out to tow vehicle back however, he does not do it alone but with a driver sent with him. I accept that the plaintiff is also assisted in heavy work in towing vehicle back to the garage. On the difficulties on towing of vehicles, Mr. Orchida did not receive any complaint from the plaintiff over such work (P. 3). Neither, Mr. Ouchida was not given any medical certificate of the cause of his sickness relating to such duties, neither the plaintiff did not furnish any medical report from the doctor to say that such sickness resulted from lifting up of vehicles for towing and over work.

In his second operation in August 1he doctor gave him 30 days sick leave and he took that leave. Even medical certificatficates referred too, prior to the August 1999 operation made no mention to sickness relating to lifting of heavy things. After the last operation the plaintiff requested Mr. Ouchida to grant him further leave from the 6th September 1999 to 1st October 1999 without pay, which was granted. Even prior to the sick leaves and operations, there was an incident occurred in 1998 where Mr. Ouchida was not happy about, in that he was allowed to have 3 days off from the 17th of September 1998 to the 20th, instead he started on 26th September 1998, which was not approved. Due to this incident, Mr. Ouchida told him: - to vacate the house; the allocated vehicle will only be used during official hours; to organize and call meetings for departmental head; to control telephone calls; to control electricity bill; control usage of oil and fuel; and issuing of quotation with assistance of Narayan, Karia, Josepho and Christophe.

By Mr.ida�s letter of the 26th September 1998 he warned the plaintiff to performrform his duties effectively. He also made directions to the plaintiff to recover money that customers owes to the defendant for debts to Deou Motors, for spare parts, and spraying bills. Some of those customers the plaintiff allowed them to pay later, as the collection of bills was under the responsibility of the plaintiff. The outstanding as at 31st May 1999 was about VT11,000,000 Million (P. 17 defendant�s evidence). I accept from the plaintiff evidence that not only him gave credits to customers but also Mr. Ouchida, Shui Brand, Ekule K, Christophe C. and the plaintiff himself. However, by letter of 11th June 1999 the plaintiff was directed by Mr. Ouchida to collect all unpaid bills. Not only that, but he further directed that if Laurent or Abin N. or Arnold allowed credit to any customer and not paid, each one will be responsible to repay those credits they allowed to customers if not paid. The letter also refers and confirms such directions. So not only the plaintiff was responsible, but the others too who gave credits to other customers. I therefore, accept that the plaintiff will also be responsible to collect what he authorized on credit to customers. If not than salary deduction can be made to his salaries and also apply to the others.

On the 29th June 1999, after the plaintiff comack from the hospital had a meeting with Mr. Ouchida, howevhowever by that time, the 28th of June 1999, Mrs. Ouchida was already supervising the Deu Motors complex, after being assigned to do that work in March 1999 by Mr. Ouchida as, replacement for the Plaintiff. This was a demotion to the plaintiff. On this demotion the plaintiff claimed that the demotion to a lower post than assistant Manager with salary of vt50.000 per month constituted a serious breach of terms and conditions of the plaintiff employment contract.

Issue No. 3: Did the defe terminate the plaintiff?

Due to these events, the plaintiff sought to have one-month leave from 6th September 1999 without pay and was to resume duty by the 1st October 1999. The plaintiff returned to work on the 4th of October 1999 and told Mr. Ouchida to terminate him. The purpose of telling Mr. Ouchida to terminate the plaintiff was due to him taking up a new position, not with the defendant. Even Mr. Ouchida�s confirmed this in his evidence. I accept that by 4th of October, the reason why the plaintiff demanded the defendant to terminate him was for him to take up a new job.

Mr. Ouchida did not agree to terminate him and informed him to continue to work with the defendant. The reasons being that the plaintiff was yet to collect the outstanding bills, purchase made locally and overseas and even theft by staff. The plaintiff did not take up his job and by February 2000 he started work with Asco Motors earning VT70,000 per month. I find that the plaintiff walked out from his job with the defendant. He was never terminated or told by the defendant to leave his job.

Issue No. 4: Did the defendant commit a serious breach of the contract.

The plaintiff the defendant committed a serious breach of term of employment by demoting him. On thOn this statement of claim, there were no written terms of condition of employment. The position of Personal/Assistant Manager was a promotional post. And Mr. Ouchida accorded him the salary of VT80,000, responsibility allowance of VT70,000, a free rent house and use of vehicle.

The defendant agreed that he made the plaintiff to such post as he had confidence in him to perform that duty. Prior to that, the defendant did not receive any complaint on heavy duties work from the plaintiff as to his sickness, however he was aware of medical certificates, but at no time the plaintiff ever produce a doctor�s report as to the nature of his illness apart from the medical certificates. The medical certificates represent illness from 4th May 1998 to the 12th August 1999, which was about 15 months.

By the 11th June 1999 Ouchida wrote to the plff to collect all unpaid bills, as one of his additional al responsibilities as an Assistant Manager was to collect unpaid bills. The letter of instruction of the 11th June 1999 was instruction to the plaintiff to do his job and to collect unpaid bills and gave him 3 months to collect. In addition to this, he also stopped the plaintiff not to make any more quotation, and he stopped.

By letter of 1st September 1999 Mr. Ouchida wrote to him complainhat he has not collecollected the outstanding money. In the plaintiff�s evidence he manage to collect over VT40,000, but was not quite well aware what was the total amount outstanding. Due to the plaintiff not collecting money for the outstanding bills he was demoted to Sales Assistant with salary of VT50,000 per month. Mr. Ouchida, as the General Manager and owner can exercise that power of demotion in the interest of the defendant.

Plaintiff counsel referred to the following lader the Employment Act {Cap 160} and cases in supportpport of the plaintiff case as follows: -

Section 53 (1) and (2) state/span>

�(1) &nbf an yeploll ill treatsreats an employee or commits some other serious breach of the terms and conditions of the contract of employment, the employee may terminate the contract foth nd she entitentitled tled to hiso his full remuneration for the appropriate period of notice in accordance with section 49 without prejudice to any claim he may have for damages for breach of contract.

(2) & p; As empl employee syee shall be deemed to have waived his right under subsection (1) if he does not claim it within a reasonable time after he has become aware of his being led to.�

Section 49 states:-

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�(1) A act ol empntymer afounan unan unspecified period of time shall terminate on the expiry of notice given by either party tootheris inon toinate the contract.

&nb"> &nnbsp; &nsp; &nbbp;&nnbp;&&nbp;; &nsp; Notic beayerbaverbal or written, and, subject to subsection (3), may be given at any time.

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(3)  p; Tse length of h of h of notice to be given under subsection (1) -

(a) &nnbsp;; Wspre tere the empe employee has been in continontinuous employment with the same employer for not less than 3 years shall be not less than 3 months;

(b) &nbs; &nbbsp;  p;&nsp; &nbp; &&nbp;; p In ever every other case �

lang="EN-GB">&nbsp

p clap class="MsoNormal"rmal" styl style="tee="text-alxt-align: justify; text-indent: -36.0pt; margin-left: 144.0pt; margin-top: 1; margin-bottom: 1"> (i) &nbbsp; &nbbsp; &nbp; &nbp; s

lass="Mss="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: -36.0pt; margin-left: 144.0pt; margin-top: 1; margin-bottom: 1"> (ii) nbsp; p;&nbbp; &nbp; &nbssp; � an>

Section 20 states: -

�No proceedings may be instituted by an employee for the rec of remuneration after the the expiry of 1 year from the end of the period to which the remuneration relates.�

Further secti (2) states: -

class="MsoNoMsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; margin-left: 36.0pt; margin-top: 1; margin-bottom: 1"> �An employee shall not be entitled to severance allowance if he is dismissed for serious misconduct as provided in Section 50.�

class="MsoNoMsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; margin-top: 1; margin-bottom: 1"> Further section 51 states: -

�During the period of notice an emplshall be entitled to a reasonable period of time off off work without loss or reduction of remuneration in order to be able to seek other employment.�

class="MsoNoMsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; margin-top: 1; margin-bottom: 1"> Hakwa submitted the following laws in addition to what Kilu submitted. Section 50 st -

�(1)  p; Incase oase of a se a serious misconduct by an employee it shall be lawful for the employer to dismiss the employee without notice and without compensation in lieu of notice.

(2) ;&nbssp; Nsp; No the the following acts shall ball be deemed to constitute misconduct by an employee -

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clap class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: -36.0pt; margin-left: 108.0pt; margin-top: 1; margin-bottom: 1"> (a) style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""> &nbsp &nbssp;&nnbp; &nsp; &nbbp;&nnbsp; Trade union meon membership or participation in trade union activities outside working hours, or with the empls con durie working s;

(b) &nnbsp;; &nsp; &nsp; &&nbp;; / Seeking king officeffice as, or acting in the capacity n emps� representative;

(c) &nbbsp; &nbbsp; &nbp; &nbp; Tking in good good faith of a complaint or taking pa any procgs ag an eer.

(3) &nbssp;&nnbsp; Dsp; Dismisssmissal for serious misconduct may take place only in cases where the employer cannot in good faith be expected to take any other course.

classNormal" style="tee="text-alxt-align: justify; text-indent: -36.0pt; margin-left: 36.0pt; margin-top: 1; margin-bottom: 1">

(4) &nbssp; No employer shall dall dismiss an employee on the ground of serious misconduct unless he has given the employee an adequate opportunity to answe charade at himany dismissal in contraontraventivention ofon of this this subsection shall be deemed to be unjustified dismissal.

class="Mss="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: -36.0pt; margin-left: 72.0pt; margin-top: 1; margin-bottom: 1"> (5) &nAn employer shall be deemedeemed to have waived his right to dismiss an employee for serious misconduct if such action has beenn wit rease timer he has become aware of the serious miscondsconduct.>
�

Further Section 54 (amet) No. 8 of 1995

p class="MsoNoMsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: -36.0pt; margin-left: 72.0pt; margin-top: 1; margin-bottom: 1"> �(1) Subject to section 55, whnre an employee has been in continuous employment of an employer for a period of not less than 12 months commencing before, on or afte datcomment of Act, and�

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(a) &nbsp &nbssp; ;&nspp; &nbp; &nbp; the emp oyer terminerminates his appointment; or

;

(b) ;&nbssp; &nsp; &nsp;  p; &nnsp;& sp; than>the employee retires on or after reaching the age of 55 years; or -GB">&nbsp

(c) &nnsp;&&nsp;;&nspp;&nssp;&nsp; /p> p clasoNorstylet-aliustify; margin-top: 1; marginargin-bott-bottom: 1om: 1"> >

(an style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""> &nbp; &nnbsp;;&nbp; &nsp; &nnbp;&&nbp;; /span>where thre the empl employee has been in continuous employment with the same employer for a continuous period of ess t0 conive years, the emplresig good faid faith; oth; or

>

(e) &nsp; & p;&nbp; &nsp; &&nbp;;&nbpp; &nnsp; than>the employee ceases to be employed by reason of illness or injury and is certified by a registered medical practitioner to be unfit to con to work,n>

the employer shall pay severance allowance to the employee under section 5ion 56 of this Act.�

class="MsoNoMsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: -36.0pt; margin-left: 72.0pt; margin-top: 1; margin-bottom: 1"> (2) &bsp; ; &nbbp;&nnbsp;&nsp; &nbp; &nbssp; Fpan>For the purposurpose of subsection (1) �

(a)  p; &nsp; &nbbsp;

class="Mss="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: -36.0pt; margin-left: 108.0pt; margin-top: 1; margin-bottom: 1" (b) &nbsp &nbssp;&nnbp; &nsp; &nbbp;&nnbsp; �span>

langGB"> (c) & p; &nsp; &nsp; ;&nbpp; &nnsp;& sp; Where an yee c to be in the employment of one employer and enters the employment of anothanother uner under section 55 (4), his employment by the first and second employer shall be deemed to be continuous employment;

Section 9 states:

�A contract of employment may be mn any form, whether written or oral.�

class="MsoNoMsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; margin-top: 1; margin-bottom: 1"> Cases

The following cases referred to by the plaintiff�s counsel.

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Persuasive.

Aucklhop Employee Union �v- Wool Work (NZ) Ltd. 1985 NZLR 327 (CA) The Court did not hnot have the benefit of the case apart from quotation which reads: -

In our view, there is implied in a contract of employment a term th employer will not, withoutthout reasonable cause and proper cause, conduct themselves in a manner calculated or likely to destroy or seriously damage the relationship of confidence and trust between employer and employee�.

class="MsoNoMsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; margin-top: 1; margin-bottom: 1"> Authority case � applied the same standard of the principle as submitted

In advancement by the plaintiff counsel on conditions of employment under section 9 e Act, in actual fact therethere was no written contract of employment with conditions. And therefore, the contract of employment can be placed under the provision of Section 49 of the Employment Act. In the plaintiff�s affidavit he requested the defendant to dismiss him on the 4th October 1999. I do not accept this as notice under Section 49 (3). Neither the letter of 25th October cannot amount to a notice, but maintain his stay away from work until all other conditions are met. Notice under Section 49 is simply for the plaintiff to inform the defendant either verbally or written of his intention to cease employment with the defendant without conditions attached to it.

lass="MsoNoMsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; margin-top: 1; margin-bottom: 1"> At least the defendad informed the plaintiff to perform, even they had meetings, and even letters were wrre written to him, even time frame was given to him to collect unpaid bills, that is three months. The plaintiff counsel advances that three months was too short a time. I do not accept the counsel submission and finds three months was more than enough to run around Port Vila which is so small an area to cover within one day or by local telephone calls to collect the unpaid bills from customers. No evidence from the plaintiff that he compile any report of compliance. Mr. Ouchida, being the owner of the company has a right to be concerned of unpaid bills about VT11 Million not collected.

The plaintiff counsel advances on principleatural justice not afforded to the plaintiff. On this this advanced, at least the plaintiff was informed in their meeting to perform, even if he cannot perform he will be placed in a lower position and even can be dismissed. At least he was made aware of the stand the defendant will take if he does not perform. When Mr. Ouchida places him in his new position as Sales Assistant he even perform in that position. Further, an incident where 2 boys were using the garage�s computer, no explanation from the plaintiff to Mr. Ouchida

Sick Leave

lass="MsoNoMsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; margin-top: 1; margin-bottom: 1"> The plaintiff was entitled to 21 days sick leave wit full pay in every 12 months under Section 34 of the Empl Employment Act.

ass="MsoNoMsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; margin-top: 1; margin-bottom: 1"> Section 34 states:

�Subject to subse (2), every employee who has been in continuous emploemployment with the same employer for more than twelve months shall be entitle to 21 working days leave on full pay on grounds of illness.�

The sick leaves does not affect a persons right rmal annual leave of 21 days, under section 29 of thef the Employment Act.

On the first operation the plaintiff was given 30 days off. However, the plaintiff claims that Mr. Ouchida forcedorced him to go to work 5 days after. The wife gave evidence that Mr. Ouchida came to the house, however she herself was not there, and her son told them only. The son was not called to give evidence. However, Mr. Ouchida in his evidence did not talk to his son, neither he forced the plaintiff to go to work, neither he did not go to the plaintiff's house. Mr. Ouchida stated that the plaintiff himself came to his office and informed him that if he is okay he will start work, and cannot recall exactly when the plaintiff started work. On the evidence, on this dispute of fact, I accept that Mr. Ouchida did not go to the plaintiff's house and asked the plaintiff�s son for him. However, what the plaintiff said in evidence, which I accept, that he was scared that Mr. Ouchida was to give the job away to another person and has to go to his office to resume. And I find that the plaintiff resume work earlier in fear of his job will be given away. Other sick leaves were not disputed. What Mr. Ouchida concern is work performance was not up to expectation as Assistant Manager and with collection of unpaid bills.

Swearing /b>

The swg only occurred once. For swearing to be of a serious nature amounting to creating bang bad relationship, it must occurred continuously reaching a stage where the plaintiff could not coupe with and to give up his work. To swear once is not enough to amount to creating bad relationship.

p class="MsoNoMsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; margin-top: 1; margin-bottom: 1"> The case Banque Indosuez Vanuatu Ltd. -v- Marie Noelle cannot be usery time an employee choosesooses to finish work and claim damages. This case is distinguished from the above case. In this case the plaintiff responsibilities were reduced including salaries and entitlement and continued employment with the defendant. I find that the action taken by Mr. Ouchida was sufficient action on behalf of the defendant in ensuring the defendant to make profit and progresses in his business activity. Bad debts are liabilities to the defendant. And the plaintiff was responsible to collect.

Unjustified Dismissal

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p class="MsoNoMsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; margin-top: 1; margin-bottom: 1"> The defendant at no time terminated the plaintiff�s employment. And as statrlier that one of the reasoreasons the plaintiff told the defendant to terminate him is for him to get new employment and simply walked off from his employment, and took up new employment. Further, the defendant, up and until today still maintain that he did not terminate the plaintiff. I find no evidence of unjustified dismissal. Furthermore, the plaintiff was never dismissed. Therefore, this claim is dismiss.

Severance Pay

1">

The plaintiff has worked continuously with the defendant for over 11 and his employment with thth the plaintiff remain the same pursuant to Section 54 (1) (d). His walking off from his employment was over frustration over his reduction of position affecting his salary. The letter of the 25th October 1999, amount to an election of termination of employment by the plaintiff. I find that the plaintiff resignation falls under section 54 (1) (d) requirements. And that is, he resigned on good faith. The good faith can only be judge by his letter of demand of the 25th of October 1999, and that is to reinstate him on salary to Vt150,000 as paid to him when he was the Personal/Assistant Manager. This cannot be a claim on bad faith as this was the subject matter he continued to maintain all along and under s. 50 (2) (c) the making of the complaint against the defendant was in good faith and should not be taken against him. Further, action of the plaintiff did not fall within the requirement of s. 50 to be treated as of serious misconduct. For condition 2 & 3 would only arise when he was to resume duty with the defendant. I find that he is entitling to severance pay and grants him VT825,000 as pleaded as severance allowance for resigning in good faith.

Notice

Notice under Section 49 is a proper notice to be delivered to the employerood faith in informing the the employer of his employment to be ended. And any notices to end the contract to be given to either party not less then 3 months under section 49 (3), as the plaintiff was in employment with the defendant for over 3 years period already.

The requirement of s. 49 is for the plaintiff must be in employment with the defendant and to his notice, and under s. 5 s. 51 for the Employer to allow him to look for a job in the period of notice. I find that the plaintiff did not give notice pursuant to s. 49. Therefore, the claim for three months pay in lieu of notice must fail and dismiss.

General Damages

Sleepless night, worry and anxiety, risk of he depression on reflection ion on defendant�s actions, pain, suffering.

No evidence of the actual cause of the plaintiff illness. No medical report from a registered doctor stating the caue cause of his illness and remains not proven to relate to heavy work.

The plaintiff had string lines of commitment to meet such as; house rents arrears, loan repayment with NBV, outstanding loan for Tico vehicle with the defendant, small business store has stop operating, school fees, foods and clothing. He claimed that the demotion has caused him sleepless nights, worry and anxiety, depression pain and sufferings and risk to health. He was still paid for duties he performed. With such earnings at least he could still meet some of his personal commitment. As to risk of health, at least the plaintiff had operation twice and in those operation no one knows the causes of the sickness. No medical evidence to say that the demotion caused him more health problem. I find that the action of Mr. Ouchida on behalf of the defendant was proper. I find that the defendant cannot be responsible for any damages, and all these claims are dismissed.

class="MsoNoMsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; margin-top: 1; margin-bottom: 1"> ________________________________________________________________________

p class="MsoNoMsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; margin-top: 1; margin-bottom: 1"> The defendant alleges against the plaintiff as follows: -

1. &nbsp &nbbp;&nnbp;& &nbbsp; &nbp; &nbp; &nbs ny many occasoccasions the plaintiff fail to keep proper records of transactions on repair works.

lass="MsoNoMsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: -36.0pt; margin-left: 72.0pt; margin-top: 1; margin-bottom: 1"> span lang="EN-GB">2. nbsp; p; ; &nbbp; &nbp; &nbs;  p; He fail fails to properly account for all records of payment.

: 1">

3. &nbsp &nbbp;&nnbp;& &nbbsp; &nbp; &nbp; &nbs otd not propeproperly comply with accounting procedure.

&GB">

4. ;&nbssp;&nbs;&nbs; &nbp; & &nbssp; &nbp; &nbs; I8 199invoicedoiced Joe Johnson for the amount of VT150,000, but only account T120,while,000 was unacco for.an>

5. &bsp; &nbbp;&nnbsp; &nbbsp; &nbp; &nbp; st to 26th September 1998.

class="MsoNoMsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: -36.0pt; margin-left: 72.0pt; margin-top: 1; margin-bottom: 1"> 6. &nbsp &nbssp; ;&nspp; &nbp; &nbp; ;&nbpp; / Ppan>Plaintiff allo allows customers to pay bills by instalment.

p>

PART B

Plaf allows customer to pay bills by instalment.

p>

ass="MsoNoMsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: -36.0pt; margin-left: 72.0pt; margin-top: 1; margin-bottom: 1"> 1. &bsp; ;&nbpp; &&nsp;; &nbp; &nbp; &&nbp;; Fail toil to keep proper records and accounting of all transaction.

>

2. nbsp; p;&nbbp; &nbp; &nbssp; &nbssp; Plan>Plaintiff fails to properly assess the customers� means over instalment payment.

3. &nsp; & &nbbsp; &nbp; &nbp; &nbbp;&nnbsp; Fail to recoveecover money from those people he allowed on instalment payment.

lass=ormalle="text-align: justify; text-t: -3; mareft: 72.0 72.0pt; mpt; marginargin-top:-top: 1; m 1; marginargin-bottom: 1">

4. &nbs;  p;&nssp;  p; &nbp; p; Fail operroperly record the debtors to the company.

&nbsp 5. style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""> &nbsp &nbssp;&nnbp; &nsp; &nbbp;&nnbsp; &nbbsp; Plan>Plaintiff fails to resume work on 1st October 1999.

6. &nsp; &nbbsp; &nbbsp; &nbp; p; No noticp by plaintiff to terminate his employment.

span>

7. &nsp; & &nbbsp; &nbp; &nbp; &nbbp;&nnbsp; No payment to t to defendant by plaintiff in lieu of notice.

&nbsp

Part A

lass="MsoBoMsoBodyTextIndent3" style="text-indent: 0cm; margin-left: 0cm; margin-top: 1; margin-bottom: 1"> evidence to support such alch allegation as stated in the counter claim in paragraph 1 to 3. Calling a witness to give evidence is not enough. What the court requires to rely on is reliable evidence in proving a claim to the satisfaction of the court. Even though there was some evidence to explain claims 1 to 3, it was so general and cannot be of any help very much in proving that the plaintiff did not actually performed such duties. Therefore, these claims are dismissed.

Likewise, as to paragraph 4 of thof the counter claim no evidence to actually prove this allegation. Therefore, this claim is dismissed.

As to paragraph 5 on unauthorized leave, at least the plaintiff was penalized already by icting some of his entitlemitlement. Further, this occurred in September 1998 and at least the defendant had a good long term to deal with the plaintiff. Further, it is far too late to raise it at this time. Furthermore, the action taken by letter of 26th September 1998 is already a punishment and this claim is dismissed.

Part B "> No evidence tve that the plaintiff failed to keep proper record of accounting transaction. What that the court requires is evidence of fact to say that the plaintiff did not keep proper record of accounting. Evidence in general is not sufficient to rely upon, and I dismiss claim 1.

In assessment of customer means of repayment in instalment, is discretionary authority allow the plaintiff, Naryan and and Arnold and they each are responsible for what they have allowed on credits to customers. If the plaintiff have exercise that power then that was proper. And if he did not than it was open to the defendant to take action on him immediately. If not, than the exercise of his discretion was proper. Therefore, claim No. 2 is dismissed.

Claim No. 3 � I accept that the plaintiff fail to fully recover money he allowed on credit to customers. Nevertheless, the plaintiff was already penalized administratively by way of demotion of his employment. And cannot be penalized twice. And the legal avenue was open to the defendant to use to recover its money. Therefore, claim No. 3 is dismissed.

Claim No. 4 � No evidence as to what are the proper records and which proper records that he has failed to perform. I therefore dismiss claim No. 4.

Claim No. 5, 6 and 7 � The Court accept that he did not resume on 1st October 1999 and left work on his own. He neither gave notice in terminating his employment with the defendant and resign in good faith. Pursuant to Section 49 no compensation is required in termination of employment. However, a situation may arise where an employee continue to receive pay after not properly terminating his employment. No evidence to say that he continued to be paid for three months after walking off his employment. I therefore dismiss claim No. 5, 6 and 7.

Dated rt Vila, this 11th day of February 2002.

class="Mss="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align: center; margin-top: 1; margin-bottom: 1"> R. MARUM J MBE


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