Search New Zealand employment-law guides, ERA determinations, Employment Court decisions and topics.
Results for unjustified dismissal
A practical guide to an Employment Relations Authority investigation: filing, case management, witness statements, evidence, the investigation meeting, remedies, costs and preparation.
Ahead of the 2026 election, Labour and Opportunity were asked to state their positions on the recent Employment Relations Act changes, including contribution, remedies and employee access to justice.
A historical guide to the Covid-19 vaccination employment framework, including paid vaccination time, notice provisions and the process issues that arose when vaccination requirements affected employment.
A plain-English map of the agencies and institutions people often mean when they search for the old 'Labour Department': Employment New Zealand, MBIE mediation, Labour Inspectorate functions and the ERA.
After 15 years as RidgeAir's Chief Pilot, Ross McCullum had his work phone disconnected and laptop removed before a meeting at which he was told the business was closing. The ERA found the employer had dismissed him, rejected the later characterisation of his departure as voluntary, and awarded lost wages, compensation and substantial holiday-pay arrears.
Golden Rooster said chef Wenpeng Yu abandoned his job after only one week, but WeChat messages supported his evidence that the employer had dismissed him because it was unhappy with his productivity. The ERA found no fair process had been followed and awarded $7,500 compensation, $3,559.20 lost wages and annual holiday pay.
Barber Raheel Reddy was dismissed by text after ongoing lateness and attendance concerns. Studio Image argued he had resigned or that termination was justified, but there had been no proper disciplinary process giving him a fair opportunity to answer the concerns.
Part-time farm assistant Natalie Butler-Smith was dismissed in February 2024 around the end of parental leave, with the employers raising health-and-safety concerns and disputing aspects of work performed during leave. The respondents did not appear at the investigation meeting.
