Search New Zealand employment-law guides, ERA determinations, Employment Court decisions and topics.
Results for ERA
![Valerie Leech v Electrical Importing Co Limited [2026] NZERA 553 - employment was agreed before the 90-day trial was signed](/Images/site/EmploymentAdvocatesAucklandCard.jpg)
Electrical Importing Co agreed Valerie Leech's core job terms and told her when to start before presenting a written employment agreement containing a 90-day trial clause. It later relied on that clause to dismiss her.
Auckland Transport investigated FHE over serious conduct involving a former employee with whom he had been in a relationship. Before completing a fair consultation process over suspension, AT had already effectively removed him from work for two days.
BAZ had genuine commercial reasons to make Luo's role redundant, but the employee was not given a fair opportunity to engage with the proposal or meaningful redeployment possibilities before the decision was made.
Barfoot & Thompson dismissed senior property manager Jonathan Rhodes for medical incapacity while he was recovering from concussion and further head injuries. An imminent neurological assessment had not been obtained and the proposed alternative role did not fit clinical advice for a graduated return on reduced hours.
DQJ challenged an ERA decision refusing interim reinstatement after Inland Revenue ended her employment. The Employment Court had to decide whether preserving the employment relationship pending the substantive grievance was justified without deciding the ultimate merits.
Fire and Emergency New Zealand summarily dismissed Russell Kinzett following an investigation into conduct that included breaches of FENZ policies. The ERA held the dismissal unjustified, and FENZ brought a de novo challenge in the Employment Court.
Adulto HR believed Briar Kennedy was on a 90-day trial, but the agreement given after she started contained no trial clause. The employer then purported to extend the nonexistent trial into probation and dismissed her after 97 days on qualification and performance grounds.
PR Kahlon had genuine, documented concerns about delivery driver Mandeep Singh's performance and safety, but knew English was a serious barrier and still used English for critical disciplinary communications rather than Punjabi. His suspension and dismissal followed without a clear opportunity to understand and answer the case against him.
