Proposed Law Changes Weighted in Favour of Employers
The Government introduced the Employment Relations Amendment Bill to Parliament on 17 June 2025 and it is currently awaiting its first reading in the House.
The Bill is intended to amend the Employment Relations Act 2000 to provide a clearer distinction between employees and contractors, exclude employees earning $180,000 per annum or more from raising a personal grievance for unjustified dismissal, and remove the requirement that new employees, for their first 30 days of employment, are placed on an employment agreement with the same terms as any relevant collective agreement.
The Bill also proposes to significantly change how an employee’s conduct is assessed during a personal grievance claim.
When is Dismissal of an Employee Justified?
In a recent case* an employee ‘A’ successfully claimed he had been unjustifiably dismissed from his role as a blinds manufacturer and installer.
"A Load of Bollocks" - Behaviour Outside the Workplace
At a recent media event at Wellington Railway Station, reporters’ questions for Minister for Rail Winston Peters were railroaded by a disgruntled bystander expressing his view that the new rail funding being announced was a “load of bollocks.”
Memo to Staff - Christmas Party
To emphasise our committment to health and safety, we have reassessed this year’s Christmas party.
To minimise the risk of accidents occurring whilst you travel to and from the venue we are going to have this year’s Christmas party on Zoom. At 8.00 p.m. you are all invited to log on from the comfort and safety of your living room and enjoy the party.
You Need a Will and Here's Why
This is not my area of law (I have plenty of capable lawyers in my firm who do this work). However, it is an issue that is constantly coming up and something which constantly frustrates me. I cannot understand why people do not have a Will. And I really urge people to invest in an Enduring Power of Attorney.
Here is why.
