ABOUT
Uncover strategies from top firms, explore recent legislative shifts and case law updates — all in one dynamic day of face-to-face learning.
Join the Employment Law Masterclass New Zealand to uncover insights into your evolving workforce obligations, recent case decisions, new bills and evolving amendments, all guided by leading employment lawyers.
Gain insights into changing workforce obligations and learn firsthand from experts in the field. Don’t miss your chance to stay ahead in employment law.
WHY ATTEND
Review the latest case decisions, bills and amendments.
Hear from New Zealand’s most prominent employment lawyers .
Update your knowledge of the latest employment law reforms.
SPEAKERS

Liz Coats
Partner
Bell Gully

Sherridan Cook
Partner
Buddle Findlay

Kylie Dunn
Partner
Russell McVeagh

June Hardacre
Partner
MinterEllisonRuddWatts

Charlotte Joy
Senior Associate
BE Employment Law

Fiona McMillan
Partner
Lane Neave

Rebecca Rendle
Partner
Simpson Grierson

Laura Scampion
Country Managing Partner
DLA Piper
AGENDA
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Opening remarks from the Chairperson
Charlotte Joy
Senior Associate
BE Employment Law -
Key changes to New Zealand employment law
There have been several amendments to employment law over the past year, with anticipated changes post-election. This session will discuss the recent and upcoming changes to employment law in 2024 and beyond that will affect employer obligations.
- Revisions to the Holidays Act and leave entitlements
- Introduction of the Worker Protection (Migrant and Other Employees) Bill and The Crimes (Theft by Employer) Amendment Bill
- What employment law changes can we expect post-election?
- Update on Fair Pay Agreements
Charlotte Joy
Senior Associate
BE Employment Law -
Networking break
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Clarity on employee vs contractor arrangements
The rise in flexible work arrangements has led to increasing challenges in defining the employee-contractor distinction. This session will provide guidance on mitigating risks when engaging with independent contractors, and on determining the true nature of a working relationship.
- Understanding the key factors that define an employment vs contractor relationship
- Lessons from Arachchige v Rasier New Zealand Ltd & Uber BV [2020], E Tū Incorporated v Rasier Operations BV [2022] and Collaine v Kiril Ltd [2023]
- What are the wider implications of recent court decisions for the gig economy?
- Potential changes the Act Party is proposing for the Employment Relations Act
Fiona McMillan
Partner
Lane Neave -
Morning break
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Managing personal grievance claims
Personal grievance claims can be costly for employers and continue to increase significantly in costs. How can employers put policies and processes in place to manage personal grievance cases? This session will examine the latest trends in employment disputes, provide tips to minimise legal risks and discuss strategies to manage claims.
- Updates to the law on personal grievances relating to sexual harassment
- Lessons from Wilson-Grange Investments v Guerra [2023], FGH v RST [2023] and Henry v South Waikato Achievement Trust [2023]
- What trends are we seeing across recent employment disputes and ERA decisions?
Rebecca Rendle
Partner
Simpson Grierson -
Networking break
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Health and safety in the modern workplace
As what we consider to be “work” continues to evolve, how is health and safety legislation (and attitudes) changing? How are employer obligations evolving to manage the health and safety of remote workers? How are employers managing the prevalence of mental health challenges? In particular:
- Issues that arise in managing remote workers and remote work
- Psychosocial risks and regulation – how is Australia dealing with this and what is the position in New Zealand?
- Worker representation (what must employers do; what can they do?)
Kylie Dunn
Partner
Russell McVeagh -
Lunch break
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Gender pay gap reporting – insights from across the globe
In advance of the introduction of legislation into New Zealand on gender pay gap reporting, this session will discuss the potential implications of a mandatory reporting system, and the obligations of employers, drawing on experiences of compulsory pay gap reporting across the world.
- Paths taken to implementation
- Legal sanctions for non-compliance
- External publishing of reports
- Requirements for reducing identified gender pay gaps
Laura Scampion
Country Managing Partner
DLA Piper -
Networking break
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AI in the workplace – mitigating risk
There’s been a significant uptake in the use of generative AI in the workplace across organisations. As ChatGPT and other AI tools continue to gain traction, what are the potential legal implications of AI use at work? This session will examine the role of HR in mitigating risk, and how AI integration can affect employer obligations.
- Identifying key legal risks for businesses
- Creating clear policies and guidelines on the use of AI for work
- Looking ahead – can we expect AI-specific legislation in the future?
June Hardacre
Partner
MinterEllisonRuddWatts -
Afternoon break
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How to manage difficult disciplinary processes
Despite careful planning, disciplinary action rarely runs smoothly. This session will discuss the most common challenges and curveballs that employers face when managing poor employee performance.
- How to navigate curveballs in the disciplinary process
- Addressing delay tactics by employees during the disciplinary process
- Tips to avoid further complication and delay of procedures
- Guidance on dealing with combative employees
Liz Coats
Partner
Bell Gully -
Networking break
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Discipline and termination: Lessons from the Employment Court
One of New Zealand’s most prominent lawyers discusses the key takeaways from the most influential cases of the last 12 months.
- How have judges been ruling on termination cases?
- Lessons from the recent Employment Court decisions in New Zealand Steel Ltd v Haddad [2023], Rock v DJ Investments 2019 Ltd [2023] and GF v Comptroller of Customs [2023]
- Trends in employee compensation rulings
Sherridan Cook
Partner
Buddle Findlay -
Q&A: Addressing additional concerns in employment law
In this interactive session, delegates will have the opportunity to ask the speaker questions relating to various employment law concerns.
Sherridan Cook
Partner
Buddle Findlay -
Event concludes