Pay Equity Changes
On 6 May 2025, the Government introduced, under urgency, a Bill proposing amendments to the Equal Pay Act 1972 (the Act). The Bill passed its first and second readings on 6 May 2025, and will bypass the usual select committee process. What does this mean?
Is an Unsigned Record of Settlement Enforceable?
Think a Record of Settlement isn’t binding until it’s signed? Think again. JPI v VFU [2025] NZERA 66 found that parties were bound by an unsigned agreement.
Updates to the Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEVW) Scheme
Coming into effect in January and March, Immigration New Zealand have indicated a range of changes to the Accredited Employer Work Visa Scheme (AEVW). Read more below.
90 Day Trial Periods
From 23 December 2023, all employers can use 90-day trial periods in employment agreements with new employees. If an employee is dismissed during a valid 90-day trial period then the employee cannot bring a personal grievance in respect of that dismissal.
Medical Incapacity
One of the most difficult issues for employers is when they can justify terminating an employee for long-term absences for medical reasons.
Latest Case Law Decisions
An overview of the latest case law decisions and our thoughts and takeaways.
Restraints of Trade
The Employment Relations Authority’s decision ordering Tova O’Brien to comply with her restraint of trade was a high-profile rebuttal of the commonly held view that a restraint of trade is “not worth the paper it’s written on”.
Covid-19 Red Traffic Light Guide
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_separator][/vc_column][vc_column][vc_single_image image=”904″ img_size=”full” alignment=”center”][vc_column_text] As of 11:59pm on Sunday 23rd January 2022, New Zealand shifted to the red traffic light setting following confirmation of community transmission of the Omicron variant. The red traffic light setting is similar to the orange setting which we entered on 3 December 2021. We have summarised the differences below: Face covering rules […]
Introducing Vaccination Policies in the Workplace
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_separator][/vc_column][vc_column][vc_single_image image=”860″ img_size=”full” alignment=”center”][vc_column_text]There has been a lot of discussion about this in New Zealand. Employers have several considerations to take into account if they want to introduce such a policy in their workplace — See our previous update here. An excellent guide has now been created by the Business Leaders’ Health and Safety Forum to assist employers […]
First Case on Mandatory Vaccination in New Zealand
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_separator][/vc_column][vc_column][vc_single_image image=”864″ img_size=”full” alignment=”center”][vc_column_text] Can employers require their employees to be vaccinated, given the Delta variant of COVID-19 is now circulating in New Zealand? The Employment Relations Authority has recently released its determination in GF v New Zealand Customs Service, upholding New Zealand Customs’ decision to dismiss a border worker who refused to get vaccinated. […]