Enforceable undertakings
Enforceable undertakings were introduced in the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015 (HSWA) as an alternative to prosecution. In this article we discuss the features of this alternative and the potential benefits of taking this path.
Employee or Contractor?
The distinction between an independent contractor and an employee is not always clear, but the recent decision of the Employment Relations Authority highlights the serious consequences for employers who get it wrong.
Business Briefs
European Union: privacy law update / Commerce Commission action in respect of extended warranties / Workplace culture crackdown
Second thoughts
What happens when your employee wants to retract their resignation?
Are you complying with the Holidays Act?
Over the last few months, a number of high profile New Zealand businesses and government departments have discovered issues with their calculation and payment for their employees’ holidays and leave...
Questions you shouldn’t ask
Job interviews can be a challenge for both employers and applicants. We look at what you can and cannot ask...
Business Briefs
Is your business infringing existing intellectual property rights? Do your homework...
Compensation for hurt and humiliation
Employers now, more than ever, need to treat their employees properly to ensure they do not face significant compensation awards for personal grievance claims.
Asbestos in commercial buildings
Is your commercial building compliant with the Health and Safety At Work (Asbestos) Regulations 2016?
Easter Trading and Public Holidays
With Easter upon us, it is a good idea to review the rules around public holidays in the Holidays Act and Easter trading rules.
Employment law changes announced
As expected, the government has unveiled sweeping changes. We summarise them here...
Employment law changes coming
We summarise the key areas in which changes are expected in the very near future...
Business briefs
Employment (Pay Equity and Equal Pay) Bill - What could this mean for your business and employees? / Contract and Commercial Law Act 2017 now in force - Make sure your business documents comply / Security Cameras - When does surveillance become an invasion of privacy? >
Health & safety: first sentencing
WorkSafe New Zealand has reported the first sentencing decision under the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015 this week. The decision is the first guidance available about the interpretation of the Act... >
Kaikoura earthquake
The Kaikoura earthquake was another reminder of the volatile and unpredictable nature of our land. We set out some guidance on points if you own, or are a tenant in, a commercial building potentially affected by earthquake damage. >
Children and holiday care disputes
In 2014, the law governing parenting disputes between separated parents was amended. Find out how this new regime applies to ‘semi-urgent’ cases dealing with parenting disputes around Christmas holiday care arrangements... >
Employment agreements
Do all your Employees have Employment Agreements, and do they comply? A recent report from Statistics New Zealand suggests that nearly 1 in 10 employees do not have a written employment agreement. >
Business briefs
Alert: Put a start date on your employment contracts; Employee share scheme tax update; An unsettling agreement; and When does a director ‘live in New Zealand’? >
Employment legislation changes
The Employment Standards Legislation Bill, out 1 April 2016, brings a raft of changes to employment law, this affects employment relations and employment standards. We summarise the main changes here... >
Health & Safety Work Act
We summarise below the most significant parts of the new Act that comes into force on 4 April 2016, and steps you should be taking to prepare. Here's what you need to know.>
A policy suite for all employers
Employers should ensure they have policies and procedures in place to comply with their employment, and health and safety obligations, and to deal with common employee issues that arise. Here's a summary of what most workplaces should have... >
Employment Relations Act changes
The Employment Relations Amendment Act 2104 brings a raft of changes aimed at increasing flexibility for both employers and employees. We summarise below the main changes that may affect you and your business. >