Deliberate Breach Of Employment Law In a significant ruling by the Employment Relations Authority (ERA), the Southland dairy business Rural Practice Ltd (RPL) and its owner, Reza Abdul‑Jabbar, have been ordered to pay a total of NZ$215,000 in penalties for multiple deliberate breaches of employment law relating to three Indonesian […]
Exploitation Of Vulnerable Employee A recent decision of the Employment Relations Authority (ERA) [2025] NZERA 646 3064332 highlights the serious consequences for employers who exploit vulnerable workers or fail to properly honour employment agreements. The case involved a Turkish national employed at a Dunedin café who successfully recovered more than […]
Workers Describe ‘Mental Torture’ and Exploitation in Employment Case A recent determination by the Employment Relations Authority (ERA) has found that Fiji Food Distributors NZ Limited (FFDL) and its directors seriously breached New Zealand’s employment laws, including employee exploitation and unjustified dismissal. The case, formally recorded as [2025] NZERA 659, […]
Recent Employment Relations Authority (ERA) and Employment Court decisions have shed light on how personal grievance claims are being handled in workplaces across Aotearoa. From trial-period dismissals to Covid-19 vaccination disputes, these rulings remind both employers and employees that fair process and good faith remain at the heart of New […]
Introduction The story of Mr Thomas Pona is a reminder that even well-meaning employers can make serious mistakes if they don’t follow a fair and impartial process when investigating misconduct. Mr Pona was a loyal and hardworking employee at Coin Total Wellington Limited. When stock went missing, he suddenly found […]
Why Leaving Well Matters, Resigning from your job can be one of life’s big turning points. Whether you’re chasing a new challenge, moving cities, or simply need a fresh start, the way you say goodbye can shape your reputation and future references. In employment law, how you resign can be […]
What Is Sexual Harassment? Sexual harassment is any unwelcome or offensive behaviour of a sexual nature that a reasonable person would find intimidating, humiliating or distressing. It includes (but is not limited to) unwanted touching, sexual jokes or remarks, intrusive questions about private life, repeated requests for dates, suggestive gestures, […]
What Is Sweat Equity? “Sweat equity” refers to contributing labour, time, or expertise to a new or early-stage business instead of being paid a wage immediately. The “sweat” is the work done now, and the “equity” is the promise of a future ownership stake or shareholding. This model is common […]
Whether you’re an employer handling difficulties at work or an employee suffering unjust treatment, navigating employment disputes can be a difficult process. Finding the best legal counsel is essential to reaching a fair and efficient resolution. This article will help you in selecting the best employment dispute lawyer for your […]