Employment Law
Our team’s vision is to help our corporate clients be employers of choice by providing them the support they need to succeed.
Our specialist employment team works mainly with corporate employers and senior employees to provide practical legal advice on all employment-related matters.
How we work
The team will work closely with you to provide a highly responsive service providing strategic and pragmatic advice.
We strive to work closely with clients to understand their objectives and deliver good outcomes, in a cost efficient manner. We are happy to provide estimates where possible.
Thought Leadership and Training
We understand that it is difficult to keep up with changing legislation. As one of the country’s leading employment teams we keep our clients updated through seminars/webinars and training, newsletters and our website.
We can assist with
Employment Agreement and Policies
We draft, amend and review employment agreements and policies to ensure they are up to date with current legislation and in line with recommended best practice, including advising on fixed term and casual agreements, executive remuneration, incentive/bonus schemes and restraint of trade clauses.
Personal Grievance
What are the different grounds for personal grievances? What should you do when you receive one? What are the risk factors to consider? Our team provides advice in both raising and responding to personal grievances in order to meet our client’s objectives.
Representation at Mediation in the Employment Relations Authority/Employment Court
Whilst we support the early resolution of disputes, we also recognise that litigation is sometimes necessary or unavoidable. We represent employers and individuals at every stage of the dispute resolution process, including mediation and Employment Relations Authority hearings and also in other Courts, including claims relating to discrimination and privacy.
Exit Packages
An exit package is sometimes the most pragmatic and commercial solution for both employers and employees. We can help you set up exit discussions and negotiate an exit package which can be implemented through a settlement agreement.
Managing poor performance and long-term illness
We provide assistance with employees who are not meeting performance expectations, including when and how to initiate a performance management process and next steps when the employee fails to meet the standards required. We also advise on procedures to address long term or persistent absenteeism.
Disciplinary investigations and dismissals
Carrying out a thorough and fair disciplinary process is essential in order to robustly defend claims. Our team has extensive experience in this area. We provide assistance with disciplinary processes from the investigation to the final outcome stage; we help prevent escalation of matters where possible.
Restructuring and redundancies
We are your trusted advisors during change management/restructuring processes helping you meet the Company’s objectives while ensuring you meet your consultation obligations and comply with the duty of good faith.
Investigations into bullying, harassment, or discrimination
These types of complaints are increasingly common in the workplace. As well as advising clients on internally run processes, we can also offer an external investigation resource. Our team of employment lawyers are experienced in conducting investigations which meet the standards required and which will help protect you against claims by the employees involved.
Holidays Act advice
With as many as 19 different possible calculations under the Holidays Act, it’s no wonder employers find it confusing! We can provide guidance on all things related to the Holidays Act, including what should and should not be included in gross earnings and which type of calculation is appropriate for your employees. We can also assist you if MBIE has instigated an investigation into your pay processes.
Industrial relations
We can assist with collective bargaining both as an external advisor or as a negotiator on behalf of the company at bargaining. We provide advice about the interpretation of collective employment agreements and how to manage union related issues.
Health and Safety compliance
We have a specialist health and safety team that advises on both day to day health and safety obligations and during workplace investigations and prosecutions related to health and safety incidents.
