Employees
Pragmatic, Practical & Robust Legal Advice
Our Approach Ensures We Can Offer A Bespoke Employment Law Service And Provide Pragmatic, Practical & Robust Legal Advice.
How We Can Help Employees
Specialising in employment law, we can assist you with any issues you may be experiencing at work.
Everyone should feel valued and respected at work.
We are experienced and committed to helping you! We believe in passionately representing our clients in employment law.
Our Employer Services
Employment Agreements
Before starting any job, you should receive an Employment Agreement and have a reasonable opportunity to review it before signing. You need to understand the terms and conditions of your employment agreement, especially around trial periods, leave and pay. We can help you make sense of complicated or confusing clauses, so you know exactly what you’re agreeing to before starting a new job.
Personal Grievances
If you feel you have been disadvantaged at work or unfairly dismissed, you may have grounds for a personal grievance. If you have experienced repeated bullying, sexual harassment, or been discriminated against based on your race, age, gender, religion, or sexual orientation, you may have grounds for a personal grievance. We can advise you on the process and possible outcomes, as well as negotiate on your behalf with your employer’s lawyer.
Redundancy and Restructuring
Under New Zealand law, you are entitled to be consulted and have real input before any restructuring decisions are made in your workplace. To make sure you are fully informed, we can represent you at each stage of the process.
Disciplinary Meetings
Disciplinary meetings require a specific process to be followed, and you are entitled to have representation. We can attend your disciplinary meeting and represent you to get the best possible outcome.
Employment Agreements
Before starting any job, you should receive an Employment Agreement and have a reasonable opportunity to review it before signing. You need to understand the terms and conditions of your employment agreement, especially around trial periods, leave and pay. We can help you make sense of complicated or confusing clauses, so you know exactly what you’re agreeing to before starting a new job.
Disciplinary Meetings
Disciplinary meetings require a specific process to be followed, and you are entitled to have representation. We can attend your disciplinary meeting and represent you to get the best possible outcome.
Redundancy and Restructuring
Under New Zealand law, you are entitled to be consulted and have real input before any restructuring decisions are made in your workplace. To make sure you are fully informed, we can represent you at each stage of the process.
Personal Grievances
If you feel you have been disadvantaged at work or unfairly dismissed, you may have grounds for a personal grievance. If you have experienced repeated bullying, sexual harassment, or been discriminated against based on your race, age, gender, religion, or sexual orientation, you may have grounds for a personal grievance. We can advise you on the process and possible outcomes, as well as negotiate on your behalf with your employer’s lawyer.
Employment Agreements
Before starting any job, you should receive an Employment Agreement and have a reasonable opportunity to review it before signing. You need to understand the terms and conditions of your employment agreement, especially around trial periods, leave and pay. We can help you make sense of complicated or confusing clauses, so you know exactly what you’re agreeing to before starting a new job.
Personal Grievances
If you feel you have been disadvantaged at work or unfairly dismissed, you may have grounds for a personal grievance. If you have experienced repeated bullying, sexual harassment, or been discriminated against based on your race, age, gender, religion, or sexual orientation, you may have grounds for a personal grievance. We can advise you on the process and possible outcomes, as well as negotiate on your behalf with your employer’s lawyer.
Redundancy and Restructuring
Under New Zealand law, you are entitled to be consulted and have real input before any restructuring decisions are made in your workplace. To make sure you are fully informed, we can represent you at each stage of the process.
Disciplinary Meetings
Disciplinary meetings require a specific process to be followed, and you are entitled to have representation. We can attend your disciplinary meeting and represent you to get the best possible outcome.
We Have Extensive Legal Experience In:
FAQs For Employees
What is a personal grievance?
A personal grievance is when an employee brings a formal complaint against their current or former employer.
An employee has 90 days to raise a personal grievance.
Employees can bring a personal grievance for many reasons, including:
- Unjustifiable dismissal (unless the dismissal took place while the employee was on a valid 90-day trial period)?
- Discrimination?
- Sexual harassment?
- Age discrimination?
- Racial harassment?
- Bullying, when the employee has raised the issue and not received a response or adequate action?
- Restructuring causing redundancy without the correct process?
- Disadvantage to an employee due to the employment agreement not meeting legal requirements?
- Unfair treatment of an employee who has lawfully refused work.
Am I being bullied? What can I do?
Bullying is:
- Repeated,
- Unreasonable, including humiliating, intimidating, or threatening a person,
- Harassment, discrimination, or violence.
Bullying is not:
- Occasional rudeness or one-off incidents of unreasonable behaviour,
- High performance standards,
- Constructive feedback or advice,
- Requests for extra work to be done, or warning/disciplining workers according to the code of conduct,
- An argument or difference of opinion (if it doesn't become aggressive).
COVID FAQs
Can my employer dismiss me if I refuse to be vaccinated?
See the latest information on vaccines on the Employment New Zealand website.
What do I do if I'm not getting paid properly?
- I'm not getting paid at all?
- I'm not getting paid my usual pay?
- I'm a casual worker. My hours are being cut, so I'm not being paid?
My employer is getting the wage subsidy but not giving it to me, or they are getting the subsidy and only giving me the subsidy not my usual pay.
If your employer doesn't communicate with you and doesn't pay you fairly, you should contact the Early Resolution Service at Employment New Zealand. They are a free service who can help you resolve a workplace issue early, quickly, and informally.
