Articles: Employment/Health and Safety

Managing both Employees and Mental Health Risks in the Workplace

The prevalence of those suffering from mental health issues in New Zealand has been a huge focus in the media this year. This has been further highlighted by the current governments review and subsequent promise to do more in this area with subsequent policy changes imminent. Naturally this issue flows into the workplace (given people spend over 60% of their time at work). Employers need to take mental health issues of employees very seriously. Further in order to discharge their health and safety duties under the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015 (HSAW) employers are now having to ensure the psychosocial safety (not just physical safety) for those in the workplace.

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Can I make a secret recording of a disciplinary meeting?

It is becoming increasingly common and very easy for people to make secret audio recordings of conversations on their mobile phones or smartwatches. Technology is progressively finding its way into employment matters with employees secretly making recordings.

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Significant changes ahead for employment law

The Employment Relations Amendment Bill passed its third reading on Wednesday and will reverse a lot of the changes introduced by the National Government. Below are the key impending changes all employers and employees need to know about.

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What about me?

Anyone that runs a business knows what its like to be bombarded with advice from experts about how important it is to look after and make staff feel valued. Well its tough being a boss too. Here is an edited (for language) email I sent out to my crew after last weekends corporate rowing regatta.

I don’t think any of you realise how distressful it is to be a partner in this firm.

This was my Saturday.

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90 Day Trials - make sure you get it right

The Employment Relations Authority takes a strict approach to 90 day trials and it has previously held that a trial period clause was invalid after an employee started working two hours before signing their employment agreement. The following case is a clear example of this.

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