http://www.douglaslawyers.co.nz/blog/ The latest Blog feeds from www.douglaslawyers.co.nz en-us Fri, 18 Sep 2026 04:16:49 +1200 Rocketspark http://www.douglaslawyers.co.nz/blog/post/169307/major-shake-up-for-employee-leave-rules/ New Zealand’s biggest overhaul of employee leave entitlements in more than 20 years is on its way, with the Employment Leave Act 2026 passing its third reading in Parliament on 6 August 2026. The legislation aims to replace many of the cumbersome arrangements under the Holidays Act 2003 with a simpler framework that better reflects modern employment practices and makes payroll calculations easier for employers.  One of its central features is the introduction of a simpler, hours-base... Thu, 27 Aug 2026 10:52:35 +1200 http://www.douglaslawyers.co.nz/blog/#post169307 http://www.douglaslawyers.co.nz/blog/post/166954/who-has-the-right-to-know-anonymity-in-workplace-investigations/ When someone makes a workplace complaint, the person accused has a right to know the allegations made against them. That part is not controversial. What is contentious is whether that right extends to knowing who made the allegations.... Mon, 29 Jun 2026 14:37:56 +1200 http://www.douglaslawyers.co.nz/blog/#post166954 http://www.douglaslawyers.co.nz/blog/post/164076/privacy-law-update-new-employer-obligation-now-in-force/ Today marks the start of a key change to New Zealand’s privacy law that employers should not overlook.From 1 May 2026, Information Privacy Principle 3A (IPP3A) under the Privacy Amendment Act 2025 is now in force. This new requirement applies when personal information is collected indirectly, that is, from a source other than the individual concerned.What has changed?Under IPP3A, employers must take reasonable steps to notify individuals when their perso... Fri, 01 May 2026 09:40:14 +1200 http://www.douglaslawyers.co.nz/blog/#post164076 http://www.douglaslawyers.co.nz/blog/post/164042/new-employment-law-rules-key-actions/ The Employment Relations Amendment Act is now in force. Whether you're an employer, employee or contractor, these changes significantly affect your rights, responsibilities, and obligations.... Thu, 30 Apr 2026 10:08:49 +1200 http://www.douglaslawyers.co.nz/blog/#post164042 http://www.douglaslawyers.co.nz/blog/post/156482/new-to-the-team-introducing-amy-stewart/ We're pleased to introduce Amy Stewart, who started with us in early October. With a unique combination of legal training and psychology expertise, she brings a balanced, insightful approach to workplace challenges.Amy holds a conjoint Bachelor of Laws and Bachelor of Arts (Psychology) from the University of Waikato which gives her a dual lens on employment matters, understanding both the legal framework and the human dynamics at play.Her interest in both disciplines stems fr... Mon, 24 Nov 2025 14:43:50 +1300 http://www.douglaslawyers.co.nz/blog/#post156482 http://www.douglaslawyers.co.nz/blog/post/151809/the-end-of-pay-secrecy-legally-anyway/ New Zealand is moving towards greater pay transparency with amendments being recently passed to the Employment Relations Act. This brings fundamental changes to how employers might look to stop employees discussing their own pay.   ... Mon, 08 Sep 2025 10:35:28 +1200 http://www.douglaslawyers.co.nz/blog/#post151809 http://www.douglaslawyers.co.nz/blog/post/151179/key-decision-on-work-periods-what-you-need-to-know/ Let's delve into a recent Supreme Court decision that every employer and employee should be aware of. This decision clarifies how shifts and work periods are treated concerning rest and meal breaks.... Thu, 28 Aug 2025 11:29:00 +1200 http://www.douglaslawyers.co.nz/blog/#post151179 http://www.douglaslawyers.co.nz/blog/post/149301/rewriting-the-rules-the-biggest-shake-up-in-nz-employment-law-since-1991/ The Government has introduced a comprehensive Employment Relations Amendment Bill to Parliament aiming to boost employer flexibility and productivity. This Bill seeks to cut red tape and balance responsibilities between employers and employees.    This Bill intends to foster productivity and if the intention of the Bill is achieved it will reset the balance between employee and employer responsibilities and accountability for individual actions.The Bill has been referred to s... Tue, 22 Jul 2025 21:07:56 +1200 http://www.douglaslawyers.co.nz/blog/#post149301 http://www.douglaslawyers.co.nz/blog/post/147958/proposed-changes-to-termination-could-lead-to-more-open-and-honest-conversations/ The ACT party’s Employment Relations (Termination of Employment by Agreement) Amendment Bill (Bill) had its first reading in the House on 9 April 2025 and is currently at the select committee stage.The select committee’s report to the House on the Bill is due in October. Although this is only a member’s bill, it could be adopted by a coalition party and soon passed into law, especially given the upcoming election and the current government’s direction to reform employment legislatio... Tue, 01 Jul 2025 14:49:51 +1200 http://www.douglaslawyers.co.nz/blog/#post147958 http://www.douglaslawyers.co.nz/blog/post/146368/alls-fair-in-pay-equity-but-wheres-the-flexibility-for-men/ Recent announcements by the government signal a pivotal moment in the conversation surrounding equal pay rights.Pushed through with urgency, the amendments to the Equal Pay Act have set stricter criteria for future claims to succeed, with the threshold increasing from 60% to 70% in a sector for it to be regarded as predominantly performed by women.There is a stronger emphasis required on the evidence of undervaluation of those roles based on gender, and for appropriate comparators to be identifi... Thu, 29 May 2025 11:52:47 +1200 http://www.douglaslawyers.co.nz/blog/#post146368