Employment Law Articles
Expert articles and practical legal guides on employment law for new zealand businesses.
Pre-employment Drug Testing in New Zealand: What Employers Can Do If a Candidate Fails
A failed pre-employment drug test does not always mean a New Zealand employer can simply reject a candidate. The key issues are consent, safety-sensitive
7 May 2026
Defining Inherent Job Requirements for NZ Employers
Hiring (and managing) staff is one of the most important parts of growing a small business in New Zealand - but it can also be one of the most legally risky. One...
7 May 2026
Contractor or Employee? Worker Classification for New Zealand Facilities Management
Facilities management companies often rely on flexible workers, but calling someone a contractor does not make it so. Here is how New Zealand businesses
6 May 2026
Subcontracting in New Zealand: Legal Considerations for Businesses
Subcontracting can help New Zealand businesses scale quickly, but it also creates legal risk around worker status, payment, liability, confidentiality and
6 May 2026
How To Write An Employee Position Description For NZ Employment Agreements
When you’re hiring in a small business, it’s tempting to move fast: find someone great, agree on a start date, and get them on the tools. But if you don’t have a...
6 May 2026
How To Write An Employee Grievance Letter In NZ Under Employment Law
Even in a well-run workplace, complaints happen. A staff member might feel they’ve been treated unfairly, left out of a process, or disciplined without enough support. Sometimes it’s a one-off misunderstanding. Other...
6 May 2026
How To Write A Legal And Effective Employee Reference In New Zealand
When a current or former employee asks you for a reference, it can feel like a simple admin task you should be able to knock out in five minutes. But as a...
6 May 2026
How To Use A Training Bond Agreement Template In NZ
You’ve found a great employee, you’re ready to invest in them, and you want to pay for training that will genuinely lift their skills (and your business results). But there’s a very...
5 May 2026
Commission and Bonus Clauses for Energy Consulting Businesses in New Zealand
Commission and bonus clauses can be a major risk point for New Zealand energy consulting businesses if payment triggers, worker status, and clawbacks are
4 May 2026
What Policies Should a New Zealand Call Centre Staff Handbook Include?
A New Zealand call centre staff handbook should clearly cover attendance, rostering, privacy, call recording, conduct, confidentiality and performance expectations.
4 May 2026Casual vs Contract Work in New Zealand: What Employers Should Know
Not sure whether to hire someone as a casual employee or an independent contractor in New Zealand? Here’s what employers should check before they sign
3 May 2026
How To Structure A Commission-Only Sales Role In New Zealand
Commission-only sales roles can be a great way to grow revenue without taking on big fixed wage costs (especially when you’re a small business watching cash flow). But they can also create...
3 May 2026Days in Lieu in New Zealand: Employer Obligations
A day in lieu in New Zealand is often a legal entitlement, not just an informal arrangement. Here is what employers need to know about substitute
2 May 2026
How 90-Day Trial Periods Work for Employers in New Zealand
Using a 90 day trial period in New Zealand can help manage hiring risk, but only if the clause is drafted properly and signed before the employee starts
2 May 2026
How to Issue an Employee Written Warning in New Zealand
Issuing an employee written warning in New Zealand is about more than drafting a letter. Learn when warnings are appropriate, what process employers
1 May 2026
How To Run Performance Improvement Plans (PIPs) Lawfully In New Zealand
When you’ve got a team to run, performance issues can quickly turn into a bigger problem than the work itself. Deadlines slip, customer complaints increase, other staff get frustrated, and suddenly you’re...
1 May 2026How To Respond To An Employee’s Dismissal Appeal For Serious Misconduct In NZ
Dismissing an employee for serious misconduct is one of the toughest decisions you’ll make as a New Zealand employer. And even when you’re confident you’ve made the right call, it often doesn’t...
30 April 2026How To Navigate And Challenge A Non-Solicitation Clause In NZ
If you’re running a small business, your customer relationships and your team can be two of your biggest assets. So when a key employee leaves (or a contractor moves on), it’s normal...
29 April 2026
How To Make An Employee Redundant In NZ Legally
Making an employee redundant is one of those small business decisions that can feel unavoidable - but also stressful. You might be restructuring to cut costs, losing a major client, closing a...
29 April 2026How To Legally Work as a Subcontractor in New Zealand
Using subcontractors can be a great way to scale your business without taking on the overheads (and long-term commitments) of hiring employees. But if you’re bringing subcontractors into your operations, you’ll want...
28 April 2026
How To Legally Update Employment Agreements In New Zealand
When you’re running a small business, change is constant. You might be bringing on your first manager, introducing new systems, changing hours to match demand, or rolling out a new commission structure....
28 April 2026
How To Legally Structure a Pay Rise Letter in NZ: Template & Guide
Giving a pay rise is one of the best ways to recognise good work and keep great people in your business. But it’s also one of those moments where a “quick email”...
28 April 2026Staff Policies for Solar Installation Businesses in New Zealand
Solar installation businesses face staff issues that generic workplace policies often miss. Here is what New Zealand businesses should cover in staff
27 April 2026
How To Lawfully Set Redundancy Selection Pools In New Zealand
Redundancy is one of those business decisions no owner wants to make - but sometimes it’s the realistic way to keep your business sustainable. If you’re at the point where you need...
27 April 2026
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