Insights & Articles

The construction industry often engages independent contractors, rather than employees. There is clearly a need for contractors in the industry, but in some situations, contractors are engaged because they are often seen as easier to engage than employees. This is often because a company can end a contractor's contract by giving notice, contractors do not receive annual leave or sick leave and are not entitled to minimum wage.

The Employment Court recently issued a decision relating to whether employers were entitled to require employees to take annual leave during the Covid-19 lockdown in April 2020. Three employees brought a case against Carter Holt Harvey LVL Limited ("the Company") after the Company told staff that they would need to take eight days leave during the lockdown in April 2020.

Exploitation in the workplace could exist in many forms and could happen to any employee, whether you are a migrant or otherwise. However, it is observed that foreigners are more vulnerable to becoming victims of exploitation due to their unfamiliarity with the relevant laws and not knowing their rights as employees in New Zealand. This is why workplace exploitation is more commonly referred to as 'migrant exploitation'.

Parents have the mutual goal of wanting the best for their child. Naturally, there are disagreements as to what "the best" means. A notably difficult decision has arisen in recent years for parents about whether or not their child is going to receive the Covid-19 vaccine. This is a guardianship issue in family law.

In 2020, while the entire world was distressed about Covid-19 and borders were closing, Immigration New Zealand ("INZ") decided to close the tap on skilled migration. A decision was made to suspend the selection of expressions of interest (also known as EOI). The selections normally occurred on a fortnightly basis and would result in a selected candidate receiving an Invitation to Apply for Residence under the Skilled Migrant Category. The suspension remains in place at the time of this article.

You will likely have heard the term "The Great Resignation". Over the last few months we have had a number of clients approach us for ideas and wanting to know how they can set their organisation apart from others in order to retain staff.

The Fair Trading Amendment Act 2021 ("Amendment Act") has made recent amendments of the Fair Trading Act 1986 with some terms being extended to small business contracts that will come into force on 16 August 2022.

Significant changes are coming to the immigration sector in New Zealand, which will have major repercussions on employers who are intending to hire migrants to work in New Zealand. The Accredited Employer Work Visa ("AEWV") is a new temporary work visa being introduced on 4 July 2022. This new visa is one step in the Government's five step plan for reconnecting New Zealand to the world after the Covid-19 pandemic.

Should we include a probationary period in the employment agreement? As per our previous article, "90 Day Trial Periods", if you have 20 or more employees you cannot include a trial period in an employment agreement, as an alternative, many employers choose to include a probationary period.

Should we include a trial period in the employment agreement? A trial period is a tool that can be used by employers to find out if an employee is suitable for a role. During the trial period, an employer can dismiss the employee and the employee cannot raise a personal grievance for unjustified dismissal, so long as the trial period is valid. Trial periods if used correctly, are a great tool for employers. However, trial periods are often challenged, so it is essential employers know when to use them and what is required.

On 29 March 2022, Parliament introduced the Fair Pay Agreement Bill ("the Bill") coined to the "biggest shakeup to workplaces in generation coming from government". The Bill has recently passed its first reading. Despite this, a number of people have expressed their reservations with the newly proposed system such as National Party's Paul Goldsmith stating that the Bill may make New Zealand less internationally competitive and add pressure to already stressed businesses.

New Zealand is now well and truly in the next stage of its strategy in responding to the Covid-19 global pandemic - learning to live with Covid-19, specifically the Omicron variant, in the community. This will see employers facing a number of new challenges, including the management of large numbers of absences in the workplace and coping with flexible working arrangements.