Join our employment law experts for the return of this popular annual webinar series. Led by Employment Law Partners Fiona McMillan (Auckland), Andy Bell (Wellington), Andrew Shaw (Christchurch) and members of their national team, they’ll explore the hot topics shaping our employment law landscape.
12–1pm, Thursday 26 February
The “new” Holidays Act and fundamentals to restructuring processes
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Towards the end of 2025 the Government provided us with principles that will govern the new Holidays Act. This webinar will outline those principles and start preparing your business for things you need to consider when these changes are implemented. We’ll also work through the fundamentals of restructuring processes and any key updates in this area of law.
12–1pm, Thursday 12 March
Proposed changes to the Employment Relations Act 2000 and the importance of the distinction between investigation and disciplinary processes
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The beginning of 2026 should see the implementation of some pretty big changes to the Employment Relations Act 2000. These changes include but are not limited to:
- Clarification of the rules around whether someone is a contractor or an employee.
- High income earners no longer being able to raise personal grievances for unjustified dismissal.
- The removal of the “30-day rule” in relation to Collective Agreements.
Also, in this session we will discuss the important distinction between an investigation and disciplinary process, the steps that need to be followed and occasions when you can justify moving straight to a disciplinary process.
12–1pm, Thursday 26 March
Received a personal grievance? More change and issues for consideration
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Despite there being a number of changes on the horizon for 2026, it is important you are on top of the changes that have already been passed. In 2025 we saw the following legislation become law:
- Crimes (Theft by Employer) Amendment Act 2025.
- Employment Relations (Pay Deductions for Partial Strikes) Act 2025.
- Employment Relations (Employee Remuneration Disclosure) Amendment Act 2025.
2026 will also see the Modern Slavery Act come into play, and changes to when and how employers can have “we want to pay you to go” conversations.
This webinar will also walk you through key considerations and strategies when a personal grievance is raised.
