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23 November 2026 | Crowne Plaza, Auckland & Virtual

Prepare your people, payroll and policies for the new leave framework

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Attend virtually or in-person

New Zealand’s leave law is heading for its biggest reset in more than 20 years. With the Employment Leave Bill set to replace the Holidays Act, employers will need to understand what the new framework means for leave accrual, payroll systems, public holidays, casual and variable workforces, remediation risk and day-to-day compliance. 

Employment Leave Reform NZ 2026 will give HR, payroll, legal, finance and people leaders a practical roadmap for preparing their people, systems and policies for the new leave framework. Timed after the Select Committee report, the conference will help employers move beyond uncertainty and start planning for implementation with clarity. 

Hottest topics at IER

Contractor vs Employee​

Understand the gateway test for businesses to utilise when deciding whether a person is an employee or a contractor. 

Updating the Holidays Act 2003

Round up what is known about the pending changes and their impact on HR, IR and Payroll functions. 

Managing the investigation process and serious misconduct

Develop a robust procedure

Preparing for mediation

Outline expectations, evaluations and effective communication

Restructuring and redeployments

Delve into the baseline for a lawful restructuring and legal positions and practicalities for redeployment 

Social media boundaries

Navigate professional conduct and employer expectations

Why should you attend?

  • Understand the reform and what the Employment Leave Bill means for employers
  • Prepare early for changes to leave accrual, payments, public holidays and payroll processes
  • Identify compliance risks across HR, payroll, finance and legal teams
  • Get payroll-ready for the move toward a new leave framework
  • Plan your transition across people, policies, systems and communications
  • Hear practical guidance from employment law, payroll and workplace relations experts
  • Benchmark your approach with other New Zealand employers
  • Leave with clear next steps to support implementation planning

Who should attend?

  • HR and People & Culture Leaders
  • Payroll Managers and Payroll Specialists
  • Employment Relations and Industrial Relations Leaders
  • Finance Managers and CFOs
  • Compliance and Risk Managers
  • Operations Managers with rostered or variable workforces
  • Public sector, council, health, education, retail, hospitality, manufacturing and transport employers
  • Payroll software providers and implementation partners
  • Employment lawyers and workplace relations advisors

KEY SPEAKERS FOR 2026

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Featured workshop: Holidays Act reform

A practical session explaining the Holidays Act reforms, how leave calculations change, and how to prepare systems and teams for compliance.

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Venue

The location and how you can get there

Address

Crowne Plaza Auckland
128 Albert Street,
Auckland 1010

Agenda

Agenda to be announced

8:30

Registration and Coffee

9:00

Welcoming remarks from the Chair

9:10

Opening address: Inside the Employment Leave Bill

A policy overview of the proposed reforms and the Government’s objectives to simplify leave entitlements, improve compliance, and modernise the framework for contemporary work patterns.

  • Why the Holidays Act is being replaced

  • The move to an hours-based leave framework

  • Key policy objectives and expected outcomes

  • Timeline and legislative process

Daniel Erickson, Partner, Tompkins Wake

9:40

Understanding the New Leave framework

A deep dive into how leave will accrue, be taken and paid under the new system

  • Leave accrual in hours rather than days or weeks

  • Standard hours, additional hours and casual hours explained

  • How leave balances will be calculated and recorded

  • What changes for part-time, shift and variable-hour employees

  • Implications for leave management and record keeping

Hamish Kynaston, Partner, Buddle Findlay

10:10

Morning break

10:40

Getting Payroll Ready for Employment Leave Reform

  • Understanding how the new leave framework may affect payroll configuration and processes

  • Preparing for hours-based accrual and leave compensation payment requirements

  • Reviewing payroll data, employee classifications and working patterns

  • Identifying calculation risks, data gaps and manual workaround risks

  • Planning payroll testing, validation and transition activity

  • Preparing payroll teams for implementation and ongoing compliance


11:30

Systems and Technology: Integrating Leave Reform into HR and Payroll Platform

  • System architecture considerations for leave reform implementation

  • Integration between payroll, HRIS and time-tracking systems

  • Data accuracy and leave balance management

  • Managing mixed work arrangements and variable hours

  • Planning system updates ahead of the transition period

  • Reducing implementation risk through governance, documentation and change control


12:10

Audience Q&A

12:20

The Business Impact of Leave Reform: Cost, Compliance and Workforce Planning

  • How leave reform may affect employer costs, leave liabilities and budgeting

  • Understanding the operational impact on workforce planning, rostering and backfill arrangements

  • Managing the impact on SMEs, large employers and complex workforces

  • Balancing compliance obligations with business continuity and productivity

  • Assessing compliance costs against the risk of under-preparation or non-compliance

  • Practical steps leaders can take to prepare the business before the reforms take effect


12:50

Lunch Break

13:50

Managing Leave Reform in Complex Workforces

  • Exploring reform impacts for shift-based, casual, and variable-hour employees

  • Understanding challenges across overtime, allowances, changing rosters and public holidays

  • Identifying high-risk sectors such as health, retail, the waterfront, hospitality, transport, and education

  • Sharing practical approaches for managing complexity and reducing risk

Alastair Espie, Partner, Duncan Cotterill

John Gray-Smith, Associate, Duncan Cotterill

14:20

Making Sense of Public Holidays and Otherwise Working Days

  • Understanding the proposed approach to Otherwise Working Days

  • Clarifying public holiday entitlements for rostered and variable workforces

  • Managing alternative holidays, transferred holidays and on-call arrangements

  • Reducing disputes around public holiday eligibility and payments

  • Applying practical examples to common workplace scenarios

Emma Peterson, Partner, Russell McVeagh

14:50

Afternoon Break

15:00

Roundtables:

1: Complex Workforce Clinic: Casuals, Shift Workers, Overtime and Allowances

2: Payroll System Readiness: Connecting HRIS, Rostering, Time and Payroll Data

3: Remediation and Historical Liability: What Should Employers Be Checking Now?

4: Legal Risk Areas in the Transition to the New Leave Framework

Julia McGibbon, Partner, Tompkins Wake

5: Managing Employee Disputes Under the New Framework

6: What Happens to Existing Holidays Act Liability

15:30

Employment Agreements and Legal Implications

  • What employers need to consider when updating employment agreements and internal policies to align with the new legislation

  • Updating employment agreement clauses

  • Managing collective agreements and bargaining implications

  • Public holiday and alternative leave changes

  • Defining working hours and employment arrangements clearly

  • Legal risk areas for employers

Rosemary Wooders, Partner, Bell Gully

16:15

Managing the Transition: Deadlines, Procedures and Practical Guidelines for Employment Leave Reform

  • Key commencement dates and transition timelines

  • What employers need to update before the reforms take effect

  • Required changes to policies, contracts, payroll systems and internal processes

  • Procedural steps for handling leave requests under the new framework

  • Record keeping, communication and employee notification requirements

  • Common implementation risks and how to avoid non-compliance

James Warren,Partner, Dentons

16:50

Audience Q&A

17:00

Summary remarks from the Chair & Networking Drinks

Back to top

Speakers to be confirmed.

Matt Harrop

Special Counsel
Duncan Cotterill
Matt is a specialist employment lawyer with extensive experience in New Zealand and the UK advising employers and employees on the full range of contentious and non-contentious employment issues. Matt’s expertise includes contractual disputes, redundancy and restructuring, restrictive covenants, senior executive issues and complex discrimination and whistleblowing claims. He also has experience in supporting the employment aspects of M&A transactions and supporting employers with contractor disputes and Holidays Act compliance. Matt is also an experienced litigator, with experience representing clients in a wide range of disputes in mediation, the Employment Relations Authority and Employment Court, the senior courts in New Zealand as well as the UK Employment Tribunal. In addition, Matt advises human resources teams on day-to-day matters such as disciplinary, performance and medical capability processes and data protection and privacy matters. He is also an experienced independent investigator. Matt is regular presenter at conferences and webinars on employment law and is a member of the NZLS Wellington Employment Law Committee.

Daniel Erickson

Partner
Tompkins Wake
Daniel leads Tompkins Wake’s Employment and Health & Safety Practice Group and is a recognised specialist in employment law. He advises employers across a broad range of industries, including manufacturing, freight and logistics, and retail, and is known for providing pragmatic, timely and easy-to-understand advice. Daniel also regularly assists senior executives and CEOs with the negotiation of employment agreements and exits. When matters cannot be resolved through negotiation or mediation, Daniel is an experienced litigator, appearing in the Employment Relations Authority and the Employment Court. He has particular expertise in health and safety compliance and regularly supports clients through WorkSafe New Zealand investigations and prosecutions. Daniel also undertakes complex external workplace investigations. He is recognised as a Recommended Lawyer by The Legal 500 Asia Pacific and a Leading Lawyer by Doyles Guide.

James Warren

Partner
Dentons
James Warren is a Partner in Dentons’ employment and workplace health & safety team in Auckland, with extensive experience in both the UK and New Zealand. He advises employers on complex workplace issues, regularly dealing with employee fraud and serious misconduct, including investigations, dismissals and the use of special remedies such as injunctions and freezing or search orders. His expertise includes managing the risks, evidence gathering and formal employment processes while navigating potential regulator or police involvement and criminal charges. An approachable and commercially focused advocate, James represents employers dealing with disputes, workforce change and employee claims, delivering practical solutions to difficult employment and regulatory challenges. James is consistently recognised in numerous legal directories, described as a “clear-thinking adviser” providing “robust and practical advice” and “great customer service.”

Carl Blake

Partner
DLA Piper
Carl is a partner in DLA Piper’s employment practice with over 25 years’ experience in all aspects of employment, health and safety and privacy laws. Carl provides strategic advice to clients both locally and globally on all aspects of employment law, including corporate restructures, sales and purchases of businesses, personal grievances, employment agreements and policies, health and safety, Holidays Act compliance, investigations, human rights and privacy, accident compensation, and collective bargaining. One of Carl’s key specialist areas is providing strategic advice on the employment law issues associated with the sale and purchase of businesses. Carl’s previous experience with the Human Rights Commission provides him with unique insight and experience in New Zealand’s privacy and human rights laws. Carl regularly presents at national employment law conferences and contributes to local and global legal publications. His interviews regular feature in the National Business Review Carl has regular appearances at mediations and had led hearings before the Employment Relations Authority, Employment Court and Court of Appeal.

Emma Peterson

Partner
Russell McVeagh
Emma is a Partner in the Litigation team specialising in employment law and health and safety. She advises across the full range of employment issues, with a particular focus on personal grievances, confidentiality and restraints of trade, restructurings, and employment issues arising in insolvency. Before rejoining Russell McVeagh in 2016, she worked for a boutique insolvency firm in London and then at Simmons & Simmons in Hong Kong.

Jeremy Ansell

Senior Associate
Duncan Cotterill

Hannah King

Partner
Kiely Thompson Caisley
Hannah is a solutions-driven employment law expert. She combines a high level of technical proficiency in handling complex legal issues with a pragmatic and commercial approach. Her experience spans the full range of contentious and advisory employment law issues, including privacy, health and safety and human rights matters arising in the workplace, and independent workplace investigations. When it comes to the most confronting and sensitive workplace issues, she is particularly adept at partnering with clients to manage risk, find practical solutions and deliver the best outcomes. Hannah has a wealth of experience representing clients at mediation and in litigation, serves as a trusted advisor to clients across diverse industries, and frequently presents at seminars and conferences. Hannah was recognised by Doyle’s Guide as a Rising Star in Employment and WHS Law in 2022 and 2023.  

Maria Dew KC

Britomart Chambers
Maria has a specialist practice with a focus on employment law, health and safety, medico legal, professional misconduct, and human rights. Her practice spans advocacy in the Courts, reviews and investigations and mediator appointments. Over the last decade, Maria has gained a strong reputation for conducting complex and sensitive investigations and reviews. These appointments have included those for the Crown Law, Health NZ, the Royal Australasian College of Physicians , both the New Zealand Labour Party and the National Party, MediaWorks, Lyttelton Port Company, various Universities, City and Regional Councils and national sporting bodies. For a list of Maria’s recent Court cases and investigations see her website at https://britomartchambers.nz/maria-dew/www. Maria has also served as President of the New Zealand Bar Association and Deputy Chair of the Health Practitioners Disciplinary Tribunal in past years.  

India Townsend

Senior Associate
Simpson Grierson

Gracy Kim

Associate
Jennifer Mills & Associates
Gracy Kim is an employment law specialist with extensive litigation experience.  Gracy has completed an internship with the New Zealand Police in Auckland Central, where she contributed to legal research and the drafting of court submissions.  She has assisted our clients in all aspects of employment laws and industrial relations, including legal compliance, restructuring, disciplinary matters, investigations, interim injunction documents, executive remuneration and regulation, negotiating exit settlements and dispute resolution.  She also provides advice to employers on their compliance with privacy and human rights obligations.

Blair Scotland

Partner
Dundas Street
Blair has broad experience in employment law and employment relations issues, having worked in law firms and in-house in ER roles for more than 25 years. He provides representation and advice to a variety of clients in both the public and private sectors, and holds a master’s degree in law from Victoria University.  In 2013 Blair and Susan Hornsby-Geluk set up Dundas Street Employment Law, a specialist firm based in Wellington with clients throughout the country.

Hamish Kynaston

Partner
Buddle Findlay
Hamish is a partner in Buddle Findlay’s national Employment Law Team, based in Wellington.  Hamish and his team are well known for both their advisory and dispute-based work, and in particular for their pragmatic approach to employment relationship issues. They have been involved in some of the most high-profile cases in Aotearoa – and in many more that could have been high-profile, but were resolved before they got to that point.  Hamish is looking forward to sharing Buddle Findlay’s insights and hearing the insights from others at the I&ER Summit in 2026.   

Steph Dyhrberg

Barrister
Steph Dyhrberg Barrister
Steph Dyhrberg is an employment barrister and mediator practising in the Wellington region, and around Aotearoa. She was one of the founding partners of Dyhrberg Drayton Employment Law. Steph is an expert in assisting employers in the prevention, management and investigation of workplace sexual harm and bullying. She provides independent complaints services for New Zealand Rugby, and has previously run similar services in sports, for SKY Sport and the Human Rights Commission. Steph was a finalist in the 2018 Women of Influence Awards in the Diversity category, and was awarded 2018 Wellingtonian of the Year for her work in tackling sexual harassment in the legal profession.

Elizabeth Coats

Partner
Bell Gully
Liz is a specialist employment lawyer who delivers practical, commercially-focused advice. She has a reputation for being accessible and responsive, and is known for her clear and pragmatic advice. Liz is a member of Bell Gully’s Board. Liz advises some of New Zealand’s largest employers on the full range of employment and industrial relations issues. She regularly provides advice on compliance with minimum employment standards, restructuring processes, restraints of trade, collective bargaining and industrial action, and complex remediation processes. Liz is a trusted advisor to executive leaders and Boards on sensitive employment matters, such as negotiated employee exits, whistleblower investigations, health and safety matters, and responding to privacy breaches that affect employees. Liz takes a pragmatic approach in seeking to resolve employment relations problems, and has substantial experience in mediation, and leading litigation in the Employment Relations Authority, Employment Court and Court of Appeal (and other courts).

Jennifer Mills

Director- Head of Practice Organisation
Jennifer Mills & Associates
Jennifer is highly regarded as one of New Zealand’s leading employment and health and safety lawyers, with a wealth of experience in employment litigation, industrial relations, health and safety, complex restructures, large scale Holidays Act issues, executive remuneration and regulation, executive exits and immigration law. She regularly advises on novel and complex legal issues and is passionate about providing her clients with effective tailored solutions. She has recently been listed as a ‘Leading Partner’ in The Legal 500 Asia Pacific 2025, and is rated one of the leading employment lawyers in the world, by Chambers Global. Jennifer is regularly featured in the media presenting commentary on employment law issues of the day. She frequently writes articles and contributes to media reports in the press, radio and television. You will also find Jennifer speaking at many distinguished conferences, seminars and meetings that are attended by professionals from all over New Zealand, giving tips and advice related to employment law, and Health and Safety.  

Jessie Lapthrone

Partner
Duncan Cotterill

Rosemary Wooders

Partner
Bell Gully
Rosemary is a highly experienced employment and workplace health and safety lawyer, trusted by clients across diverse industries. She advises employers and senior executives on a wide range of matters, including disputes, collective bargaining, restraints of trade, redundancies, and privacy issues. An experienced negotiator, she represents clients at mediation and before the Employment Relations Authority, Employment Court, and Coroner’s Court. Rosemary is particularly interested in the intersection of technology, privacy, and employment law, and frequently provides expert commentary through media, seminars, and publications in New Zealand and abroad.

Gillian Service

Partner | Kaiurungi
MinterEllisonRuddWatts
Leading MinterEllisonRuddWatts’ Auckland Employment team, Gillian is an internationally recognised employment law specialist with a pragmatic approach that is highly valued by clients. Gillian is regularly sought out as a thought leader on the future of work and complex pieces of legislation such as the Holidays Act, advising boards and businesses on compliance, remediation, and risk. Passionate about the future of work and the challenges organisations face both locally and globally, Gillian helps organisations navigate complex legislation and workforce challenges, including Pay Equity and Health and Safety.

Arran Hunt

Partner
McVeagh Fleming
Arran is a recognised expert in the area of social media law, primarily focusing on online harm legislation. His expertise has been acknowledged in various contexts, including his presentation to the Justice Select Committee, and his work has even been referenced in parliament and by the Law Commission. He combines a background with science and technology with his legal experience to look at legal issues from a perspective that few others can.  Arran Hunt is also a highly experienced Immigration Lawyer with a stellar reputation in the market. He is widely recognised for his expertise in demystifying the immigration process and providing valuable advice and guidance on navigating the complexities of the immigration system.

Kerri Nuku

Kaiwhakahaere
New Zealand Nurses Organisation
Kerri is a Registered Nurse and Midwife and has worked across primary, community and hospital-based nursing. Throughout her life and career, Kerri represents and advocates for the rights and aspirations of Māori and Indigenous nurses and health professionals throughout Aotearoa New Zealand, and on the global stage. Kerri develops and maintains relationships across indigenous networks and is a skilled strategist, thinker and advocate for human, Indigenous, Women’s, and Workers’ rights. Kerri is currently the Kaiwhakahaere at Tōpūtanga Tapuhi Kaitiaki o Aotearoa – New Zealand Nurses Organisation. She is also a member of the International Council of Nurses, Audit and Risk Committee, Co-chair of the Iwi Māori Partnership Board for Te Aka Whai Ora and is an Honorary Member of Tōpūtanga Tapuhi Kaitiaki o Aotearoa, New Zealand Nurses Organisation. Kerri’s keen interest in women’s and worker’s rights has led to her involvement in numerous legal challenges including the Mana Wāhine Kaupapa Inquiry, Oranga Tamariki Child Uplift Inquiry, pay parity, and the lead applicant of the Kaupapa Health Services Inquiry. Kerri’s international collaborations include the United Nations Universal Periodic Review, the Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, shadow report and the Committee for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination. Kerri’s national and international accomplishments have seen her present interventions at the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues at the United Nations in New York, protecting the freedoms and rights of Indigenous peoples. Kerri is a recipient of the prestigious “International Human Rights and Nursing Award” from the University of Exeter, UK and is recognised as one of 100 Māori Leaders.

Kylie Dunn

Partner
Smith Dunn
Kylie Dunn has over 20 years of experience advising on all aspects of employment law, with a special interest in bargaining and industrial issues and employment issues involving senior executives.  Kylie was a partner at Russell McVeagh until April 2024, and has now set up Smith Dunn with Bridget Smith.  Smith Dunn is a boutique law firm specialising in employment law and workplace investigations.

Michael Witt

Partner
McVeagh Fleming
Michael is an experienced and specialised Senior Employment Lawyer, Dispute Resolver, Trusted strategic Advisor, Presenter and Speaker, Mediator, Workplace Investigator, and Textbook author. Michael is a German and New Zealand qualified lawyer with 20 years of experience in employment law, both in New Zealand and internationally. With a wealth of experience working with clients across various industries, Michael is dedicated to partnering with clients to provide pragmatic solutions tailored to their specific needs. Whether it’s employment agreements and workplace policies, personal grievances, restructuring and redundancies, exit negotiations, Holidays Act-related matters, health and safety, disciplinary proceedings and performance management, restraints of trade, or any other employment-related issue, Michael prides himself on uncovering what is most important to the client and strives to achieve favorable outcomes. He believes in resolving issues at the earliest stage—ideally before they arise—but is also well-equipped to provide advice or representation in litigating employment matters when necessary.

Melissa Johnston

Partner
BE Employment Law
Melissa joined BE Employment Law as a partner in 2024 from the partnership of a national full-service firm, where she led the employment team. Melissa is both New Zealand and UK qualified, having spent nine years practising in the UK, before returning to New Zealand to carry on her career in employment law.

Fiona McMillan

Partner
Lane Neave
Fiona is the Auckland Partner of the Employment Law team and commenced her career with Lane Neave in 2007. Fiona and her team act for both employees and employers in matters involving employment relations, health and safety, human rights, privacy and ACC. Fiona advises on all aspects of termination including performance management, misconduct, serious misconduct, medical incapacity, restructurings and redundancies and negotiated exits.  She also specialises in collective bargaining, human rights commission matters and independent external investigations.  In 2019, Fiona undertook the certification from the Association of Workplace Investigators in Vail, Colorado, USA. Fiona regularly represents parties in Mediations, Employment Relations Authority Investigation meetings and the Employment Court.  In 2022 and 2023, she was recognised as an Elite Woman in NZ Lawyer’s annual rankings.  Fiona has also been recognised in Doyle’s Guide, Legal 500 and Chambers & Partners as a leading employment and health and safety practitioner in New Zealand. Although Fiona is based in Auckland, she works with clients in all parts of the country. She regularly presents employment law seminars and speaks at conferences around New Zealand.    

Alastair Espie

Partner
Duncan Cotterill
Alastair is a specialist employment lawyer who excels in delivering solution-focused advice that gets results. He is regularly engaged to undertake independent investigations into workplace complaints in both the public and private sector. Alastair also routinely advises employers on the setting up of investigations and engagement of external investigators, and also has extensive experience assisting complainants and respondents as they work through investigation processes.

Sanja Marin

Senior Associate
Duncan Cotterill

Workshops

Workshops to be announced

Separately Bookable Workshops

half day

Holidays act reform: Practical calculations and compliance in action

13 March 2026 | 9.00am - 12.30pm (Morning Workshop)

 In this half day workshop you will cover:

  • Understanding the intent and key objectives of the Holidays Act reform and what problems it aims to fix

  • Breaking down new entitlements and definitions through real examples of annual, sick, and public leave scenarios

  • Learning how to calculate leave balances and payments using the new formulas for variable-hour and part-time staff

  • Working through hands-on exercises to compare calculations under the current Act and the reformed Act

  • Reviewing case examples to identify common payroll and compliance pitfalls

  • Interpreting how the new definitions of “work week,” “gross earnings,” and “continuous service” affect leave calculations

  • Demonstrating how to check payroll accuracy and audit existing leave records for errors

  • Exploring how HR and payroll systems will need to adapt

  • Engaging in group discussions to solve complex calculation scenarios and share real-world challenges

  • Creating an implementation action plan to prepare systems, policies, and staff for compliance with the law

Buy your ticket
Matt Harrop

Special Counsel

Duncan Cotterill

half day

Risk and remedies in Personal Grievance law

13 March 2026 | 1.30pm - 5.00pm (Afternoon Workshop)

This half day masterclass will cover topics such as:

  • Understanding the legal foundations: Review sections 103A and 123–128 of the Employment Relations Act to understand the legal basis for remedies such as reinstatement, lost remuneration, and compensation

  • Understanding the types of personal grievances including dismissal, disadvantage, discrimination, and bad faith claims

  • Gain insight into how the Employment Relations Authority and Employment Court apply justification and fairness tests in grievance determinations

  • Learn from real case examples to understand how procedural flaws can create liability and increase remedy exposure

  • Develop the ability to triage new grievances by evaluating legal, financial, and reputational risks early in the process

  • Learn to design fair, defensible procedures that align with good faith and natural justice requirements

  • Practise calculating remedies including lost remuneration, compensation for humiliation and loss of dignity, reinstatement, and penalties

  • Use structured worksheets to estimate potential exposure and apply mitigation and contribution adjustments

  • Learn to make informed strategic decisions on whether to mediate, settle, or proceed to a formal hearing

  • Gain practical skills in drafting enforceable settlement terms that manage confidentiality, scope, and compliance with statutory obligations

  • Learn how to prepare clear, effective evidence bundles, witness briefs, and submissions for ERA or Court proceedings

  • Examine case law to recognise emerging trends in compensation, reinstatement, and judicial interpretation

  • Build strategies to strengthen governance frameworks and prevent future personal grievance claims

  • Learn to identify recurring organisational risks and design targeted training and policy improvements

Buy your ticket
Naoimh McAllister

Partner/ Queenstown

Copeland McAllister

full day red

Navigating employment investigations and dispute resolution:  Law, process, and practice 

13 March 2026 | 9.00am - 4.30pm

  • Understanding employer duties under the Employment Relations Act, Human Rights Act, and Health & Safety at Work Act

  • Defining bullying, harassment, and misconduct through case examples

  • Overview of fair process principles and procedural justice

  • Choosing the right path: internal, independent, or alternative?

  • Identify when and how to initiate an investigation and assess the appropriate pathway

  • Apply fair process principles consistent with the Employment Relations Act and case law

  • Evaluate the benefits and limits of internal vs. external investigations

  • Conduct and document investigations that withstand scrutiny from the ERA or the Employment Court

  • Manage confidentiality, bias, and procedural fairness challenges

  • Understand when mediation, restorative processes, or hybrid approaches may better resolve disputes

Buy your ticket
Fiona McMillan

Partner

Lane Neave

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