Employment Agreements

What Are Employment Agreements?

An employment agreement is a written contract that outlines the terms and conditions of your employment in New Zealand, as required by the Employment Relations Act 2000. It details your role, pay, hours, and rights, ensuring clarity and fairness for both you and your employer. At Employee First NZ, we help you understand and navigate these agreements to ensure they comply with New Zealand employment law, protecting your workplace rights.

What Are Your Workplace Rights?

As an employee in New Zealand, you’re entitled to minimum employment rights that cannot be reduced, even if not explicitly stated in your employment agreement. These include:

• Minimum Wage: Your pay must meet or exceed the current minimum wage.

• Annual Holidays: At least 4 weeks of paid annual holidays after 12 months of employment.

• Public Holiday Pay: Time-and-a-half payment for working on public holidays.

• Protection Against Unfair Bargaining: You have the right to negotiate in good faith and seek independent advice to avoid unfair terms.

• Employment Protection: Provisions if your employer’s business is sold, transferred, or your work is contracted out.

• Personal Grievances: Most grievances must be raised within 90 days, with sexual harassment grievances within 12 months.

Additional terms, such as notice periods, trial periods, or restraint of trade clauses, can be negotiated, but they must comply with New Zealand law.

How Employee First NZ Can Assist You

At Employee First NZ, we provide state-of-the-art assistance to connect you with expert support for your employment agreements anytime, anywhere. Our services include:

• Agreement Review: We analyse your employment agreement to ensure it meets legal standards and protects your rights, including minimum wage and annual holiday entitlements.

• Negotiation Support: Our expert team helps you secure better terms, such as improved pay rates, flexible hours, or fair restraint of trade clauses, all in good faith, with our AI tools streamlining the process to connect you with the right support.

• Unfair Bargaining Protection: We identify and address potential unfair bargaining practices, ensuring you’re not disadvantaged due to age, language barriers, or lack of information.

• Dispute Resolution: We guide you through resolving employment relationship problems, including mediation and support for claims to the Employment Relations Authority, with AI assistance to connect you to expert resources.

• Confidential Information Guidance: We provide support on handling confidential information and understanding restraint of trade clauses to protect your career and your former employer’s interests.

With Employee First NZ, our expert advisors provide you with tailored support to navigate New Zealand’s employment laws effectively. Whether you’re reviewing an Employment agreement or addressing a workplace issue, we’re here to help 24/7.

Ready to secure your workplace rights? Our MahiMate specially trained AI assistant is available anytime, anywhere at your fingertips, ensuring you have the tools to thrive in your career. Contact Employee First NZ for expert support with your employment agreements.