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Ben Devine had historically held permanent nursing hours but Health New Zealand later relied on documents describing part of his work as casual and left him on an unpaid stand-down. The case concerned the real nature of the employment relationship and whether the employer could remove work and pay without a proper process.

Unpaid-wage disputes can produce both arrears and penalties. This guide explains wage and time records, deliberate or repeated breaches, and why cashflow pressure does not remove minimum-employment obligations.

Lita Beattie worked as Head Chef/Kitchen Manager in a relationship the respondent treated inconsistently and left with significant wage arrears. The ERA had to determine employee status, unpaid entitlements and whether employer conduct forced her resignation.

Aurora Developments disputed when quantity surveyor Junchen Xu became an employee, saying his first month was only unpaid learning and observation, and later made him redundant without a proposal or consultation. He also claimed wages, incentives and holiday entitlements.

Nirali Bhatt moved from India to work for Prishal Limited at Juice Heist and later raised concerns that she was not being paid in full. The case involved disputed hours, deficient wage and time records and whether continuing underpayment after complaint caused a personal grievance as well as arrears.

BlueLagoon ended Mr Ormsby's employment by Messenger after the employer said it could no longer afford to pay him. The case also involved unpaid wages, holiday pay and KiwiSaver obligations alongside the dismissal grievance.

Devon Whitham entered a tattoo and piercing apprenticeship that Brutalitees described as unpaid and contractor-like despite exercising close control over her work. The case concerned her true employment status, unpaid work and the heated meeting at which the relationship ended.

Jack Wills worked at Complex Forme without a written agreement and was not paid for 32 hours of work. After he sought clarity about pay and rostering, the employer stopped responding, removed his access and ceased providing work.