Latest Cases & Insights

How to negotiate your notice period

Over my years advocating for employees, I have noticed a troubling trend. Time and time again, clients contact me about a formal disciplinary letter for something completely trivial. A minor administrative oversight, a slightly late report, or a simple misunderstanding that could have easily been sorted out over a quick chat. It always astonishes me that employers think they can get away with this. What many workers don’t realise is that these petty disciplinaries are often d

Representing Tracy and Abigail was both heartbreaking and immensely fulfilling

The recent Employment Relations Authority (ERA) ruling involving Qube Holdings Limited and port workers in New Zealand has sparked important conversations around workplace safety, employee rights, unfair dismissal, and health and safety obligations in high-risk industries.

Workplace bullying isn't just "office drama"; it’s a serious health and safety failure with legal consequences. The recent determination in Kelly Drake v Maniototo Health Services (October 3, 2024) serves as a stark reminder that ignoring toxic behaviour can be a costly mistake for any organisation.

In this case, Eva, a dedicated Support Worker, raised concerns about unjustified disadvantage and bullying in her workplace. Employed by IDEA Services, the largest provider of services for individuals with intellectual disabilities in New Zealand, Eva found herself facing undue stress while pregnant and under significant workload pressures.

In the case involving Amanda Piacun and Cooper No 1 Limited, I'm pleased to share insights from a determination by the Employment Relations Authority in Auckland. This ruling resulted in a higher-than-usual compensation award for the applicant, highlighting the importance of employee rights in workplace disputes.

AI generated image Case Summary: Successful Representation in Employment Dispute Date: 4 July 2025 Authority: Employment Relations Authority, Christchurch Representatives: Maryline Suchley (Advocate for the Applicant) Applicant: Dharamjeet Singh Respondents: Majestywoods Limited, Majesty Care NZ Limited, Navneet Dhiman, Ramanpreet Singh Overview Dharamjeet Singh, had a successful outcome in his case against Majestywoods Limited and Majesty Care NZ Limited. The Employment Rel

Following on from the successful preliminary determination, Peter Callen achieved a comprehensive win in the substantive determination of his personal grievance claims against Alaron Products Limited. Member David Beck's decision of 19 March 2025 [2025] NZERA 165 affirms and builds upon the preliminary determination, delivering a decisive outcome that reinforces important employment law principles.

The Employment Relations Authority delivered a positive preliminary determination in the case of Peter Callen v Alaron Products Limited [2024] NZERA 610. This decision cleared the path for a substantive investigation into bullying and dismissal claims raised.

Kelly Drake’s case against Maniototo Health Services addressed the serious issue of workplace bullying and highlighted the importance of maintaining a safe work environment.