Legal Representation
The Employment Relations Act gives individuals certain rights and protections around their ongoing employment.
Generally speaking, an employer must have a good reason for ending an employee’s employment and they need to follow the right process.
If that hasn’t happened an employee might raise a personal grievance and look for financial remedies including compensation and lost earnings.
We can help you navigate this.
If you are an employer we will look at how you can minimise the risk of a personal grievance in the first place while helping you make good employment decisions.
But things happen.
We will present your defence to the claim by understanding your story and presenting that in a clear and compelling way.
If you are an employee and you feel that your employment is ending or has ended unjustifiably, we can help you.
You may be wondering about your future options, including seeking financial security as a bridge to your next step in your career.
In doing so, we may talk through a long-term plan to put you in the best position for financial security and wellbeing not just to address the immediate sense of confusion and overwhelm that you may be feeling.
Mediation
The Employment Relations Act emphasises good faith communication. In many cases, it is in the interests of parties to resolve their differences through negotiation and mediation at the earliest possible stage.
We are experienced negotiators.
We can help you reach a negotiated outcome to an employment problem.
This may be through a mediation process, or through direct correspondence with the other party.
Legal representation services:
Investigation or Disciplinary Meetings
For employees, you may require support and representation if your employer has raised allegations with you. We will advise you on the process and how to put your best foot forward. We will attend meetings with you if you decide that is the best approach to advance your position.
For employers, we can assist you with meetings and support you to get the process right. We can be the sounding board for your decisions.
Employment Relations Authority
The Employment Relations Authority takes an investigative approach to hearing cases that come before it.
The idea is that it is a less legalistic process but that doesn’t mean it is simple! We can help you prepare your case and represent you or your business for the investigation meeting at Employment Relations Authority.
Gathering your documents is key to success. But also we will work with you to understand your story and tell it your way.
Employment Court
We can help you pursue or defend a challenge filed in the Employment Court.
At this stage, you are likely involved in what we may otherwise call an “Appeal”. Most cases that come before the Employment Court are heard for the second time after having been heard in the Employment Relations Authority (de novo).
We can help you finetune your case for the Employment Court and navigate its more formal processes.
We may also recommend options for future-proofing your next career step through personal growth and development.
We can connect you to the right people for adequate support through this process.
Office Address: 65 Alpha Street, Cambridge 3434
Postal Address: PO Box 339, Cambridge 3450
DDI: 09 320 1699
E: info@douglaslawyers.co.nz
