Personal Grievance Support with Employee First NZ

Facing workplace challenges can be overwhelming, but you don’t have to navigate them alone. Employee First NZ provides expert employment advocacy services for New Zealand employees, offering state-of-the-art assistance anytime, anywhere. Our services empower you to address personal grievances confidently and hassle-free, ensuring your workplace rights are protected.

What is a Personal Grievance?

A personal grievance is a formal action you can take against a current or former employer when you face an unresolved employment issue. This could include situations like unjustifiable dismissal, unfair treatment, discrimination, harassment, or breaches of your employment agreement. Whether you’re dealing with workplace bullying, unfair dismissal, or issues in a triangular employment arrangement, Employee First NZ is here to guide you through the process with tailored support.

Key Situations for Raising a Personal Grievance

You may have grounds to raise a personal grievance if you’ve experienced:

• Unjustifiable dismissal: Being dismissed without a fair reason or process.

• Unjustified disadvantage: Actions by your employer that unfairly impact your job or working conditions, such as demotion or reduced hours without consultation.

• Discrimination or harassment: Facing unfair treatment based on prohibited grounds, including sexual or racial harassment.

• Union-related issues: Being pressured due to union membership or non-membership.

• Health and safety concerns: Adverse actions related to lawful refusal to work in unsafe conditions.

• Other breaches: Issues like failure to meet employment agreement terms or unfair treatment during restructuring.

With Employee First NZ, you gain access to expert advice to determine if your situation qualifies as a personal grievance and how to proceed effectively.

What Are Your Rights?

Under the Employment Relations Act 2000, New Zealand employees have clear rights when raising a personal grievance. Understanding these rights is crucial to protecting your workplace wellbeing:

• Timeframe to Act: You must raise a personal grievance within 90 days of the issue occurring or coming to your attention (or 12 months for sexual harassment cases). Exceptions may apply in extraordinary circumstances, such as health issues or employer failure to provide dismissal reasons.

• Fair Process: Your employer must follow a fair and reasonable process when addressing grievances. This includes providing written reasons for dismissal and adhering to employment agreement terms.

• Triangular Employment: If you’re in a triangular work arrangement (e.g., working for an agency or on secondment), you can raise a grievance against both your employer and the controlling third party if their actions contribute to the issue.

• Access to Support: You’re entitled to use services like mediation, Early Resolution, or the Employment Relations Authority (ERA) to resolve disputes. The ERA reviews cases based on merit, ensuring fair outcomes.

• Protection from Retaliation: You’re safeguarded against unfair treatment for raising a grievance, including retaliatory actions or constructive dismissal (where employer actions force you to resign).

Employee First NZ uses cutting-edge AI tools to provide preliminary guidance on your rights, helping you understand your options and take the next steps with confidence.

How Employee First NZ Can Assist You

At Employee First NZ, we’re committed to empowering employees with the support they need to resolve workplace issues. Here’s how we help:

• Expert Advocacy: Our experienced employment advocates provide hands-on support to craft clear, detailed grievance letters or emails, ensuring your employer understands the issue fully.

• Strategic Advice: We guide you through the process of raising a personal grievance, from checking eligibility to meeting critical timeframes (90 days or 12 months for sexual harassment). Our team helps you avoid pitfalls, like insufficient detail, that could weaken your case.

• Mediation and ERA Support: If your grievance escalates, we assist with mediation or filing a claim with the Employment Relations Authority, ensuring you’re well-prepared to seek fair remedies.

• Triangular Employment Expertise: For employees in labour-for-hire, temp assignments, or secondments, we provide specialised advice to address grievances involving both employers and controlling third parties.

• Confidential and Accessible: Our services are designed to be accessible 24/7, offering confidential support to help you navigate issues like unjustifiable dismissal, workplace harassment, or constructive dismissal with ease.

Don’t let workplace challenges hold you back. With Employee First NZ, you’ll have the tools and expertise to stand up for your rights.