Important Information on Employment Law

90 Day Trial Period Process

See our 90 Day Trial Period free toolsA 90 day trial period allows an Employer to employ a new staff member with a single trial period of 90 days or less. A trial period allows an Employer to assess a...read more

ACC Employer Considerations & Obligations

The Accident Compensation Act 2001 ("the ACC Act") provides cover to people who suffer "personal injuries" caused by accidents. ACC operates on a similar basis to an insurance sche...read more

Bereavement Leave

Following six months' continuous service (or an average of at least 10 hours a week and at least one hour a week or 40 hours a month), all staff, regardless of status (Permanent, fixed term, casual) b...read more

Employee Disciplinary Procedures

When looking at disciplining or dismissing an Employee it's paramount that the Employer firstly refers to the Employment Agreement the company has with that Employee.When taking disciplinary...read more

Employment Relations Act 2000

The Employment Relations Act 2000 (as amended) requires that all employment agreements are in writing. Written employment agreements are essential in every business.The employee's rights are largely p...read more

Fair Pay Agreements

Fair Pay Agreements – Information for Employers Fair Pay Agreements ("FPAs") has brought in a new bargaining system in terms of industrial relations in New Zealand, which came into force...read more

Harassment, Bullying & Discrimination

What actions constitute bullying, discrimination or harassment? And how should an Employer respond if these are present within their workplace? Failure to respond appropriately may place the Em...read more

Health and Safety at Work Act 2015

We're now all operating under the new Health & Safety at Work Act 2015 (HSWA).Since April 4th 2016 the old Act (Health & Safety in Employment 1992) is out and the new HSWA is in.WorkSafe NZ wa...read more

How the Employment Relationship is ended

Broadly speaking the Employment relationship can be ended for the following reasons:DismissalRedundancyResignationEmployee DismissalEmployees are dismissed for a number of reasons including:Misconduct...read more

How to Employ Staff

The exposure today's Employers are facing in regard to unjustified dismissals and other grievances brought by employees is proving costly. Recent legislative changes make it important for employers to...read more

Minimum Wage Rates in New Zealand

There are three main categories of minimum wage rates for employees in New Zealand. These are the:Adult Minimum Wage - $23.15Starting-Out Wage - $18.52Training Minimum Wage - $18.52The Starting-Out an...read more

Occupational Overuse Syndrome (OOS)

EMPLOYER'S RESPONSIBILITIES Employers are responsible for Health & Safety within their workplace Employers must identify, assess and control hazards Employers are responsible for the design of the...read more

Overtime Pay & Overtime Pay Laws

There is no such thing in legislation as overtime rates in New Zealand. An overtime rate can be agreed on by an Employer and Employee, but there is nothing in law which stipulates this as a requiremen...read more

Parental Leave

The Parental Leave and Employment Protection Act 1987 provides minimum entitlements, rights and protections for employees during pregnancy and while they’re on parental leave. Self-employed people may...read more

Performance Appraisal Process

Performance management is a comprehensive and ongoing approach to managing people and performance. It involves initially advising the employee of the performance goals and expectations of the emplo...read more

Public Holidays in New Zealand

The Holidays Act 2003 ("the Act") prescribes certain rules to follow when calculating employee's entitlements to Public Holidays and alternative holidays' for those who work on a P...read more

Redundancy Law NZ

Are you looking to make redundancies in your business? Employers need to prove that they acted in a fair and legal way or face legal consequences. Redundancy arises where the role becomes ...read more

Sick Leave

Sick leave becomes an entitlement after six months continuous service and the number of days can vary with the employment agreement, but the minimum statutory amount is 10 days per 12 months of contin...read more