Privacy Policy
Last Updated: 7 August 2025
1. Scope and Application
This Privacy Policy ("Policy") governs the collection, use, storage, and disclosure of Personal Information by Employee First NZ ("Company," "we," "us," or "our"), a New Zealand-based entity providing employment relations advisory services, advocacy, mediation, dispute resolution, and educational resources ("Services"), as defined in our Terms and Conditions of Use ("Terms"). This Policy applies to all Personal Information collected through our website at EmployeeFirst.NZ, including any related domains or subdomains ("Website"), or through any other interactions with our Services, whether in person or otherwise. By accessing the Website or engaging our Services, you ("Client," "you," or "your") consent to the practices outlined in this Policy, in accordance with the Privacy Act 2020 ("Privacy Act") and other applicable New Zealand laws.
2. Definitions
For the purposes of this Policy, unless the context otherwise requires:
Personal Information: Information about an identifiable, living individual, as defined under the Privacy Act 2020.
Services: All services provided by the Company, including but not limited to employment relations advice, advocacy, mediation, dispute resolution, and educational resources, whether delivered via the Website or in person.
Website: EmployeeFirst.NZ, including all related domains and subdomains.
3. Information We Collect
We may collect the following types of Personal Information to provide and improve our Services:
Information You Provide Voluntarily:
Name, email address, phone number, or other contact details.
Employment-related details, such as workplace information, job title, or details relevant to your engagement with our Services.
Any other information you choose to provide, such as through forms, emails, or interactions with our staff or Website features (e.g., chatbot inquiries).
Information Collected Automatically:
IP addresses, browser type, device information, and operating system.
Usage data, such as pages visited, time spent on the Website, links clicked, and interactions with Website features (e.g., chatbot).
Cookies and similar tracking technologies, including those used by third-party services like Google Analytics, to monitor user activity and enhance Website functionality.
Information from Third Parties:
Information obtained from third-party platforms (e.g., social media or review sites) where you have made Submissions (e.g., reviews, comments, or testimonials) that are publicly available or shared with us, subject to applicable laws.
Providing Personal Information is optional. However, failure to provide certain information may limit our ability to deliver tailored Services or access to specific Website features.
4. Purposes of Collection
We collect and process Personal Information for the following purposes:
To provide, manage, and improve our Services, including employment relations advice, advocacy, mediation, and dispute resolution.
To communicate with you, including responding to inquiries, providing updates, or sending notices as required under the Terms.
To analyse user behaviour and Website performance to enhance functionality and user experience.
To comply with legal obligations under New Zealand law, including the Privacy Act 2020.
To use Submissions for reasonable business purposes, such as marketing, with your consent or as permitted by law.
5. Data Protection and Security
We are committed to safeguarding your Personal Information and employ reasonable measures to protect it, including:
Storing Personal Information in encrypted files and secure databases.
Restricting access to Personal Information to authorised staff who require it to perform their duties.
Implementing technical and organisational measures, such as firewalls and secure servers, to protect against unauthorised access, loss, or misuse.
While we take all reasonable steps to protect your Personal Information, no system is entirely secure. In the unlikely event of a data breach, we will comply with our obligations under the Privacy Act 2020, including notifying you and the Office of the Privacy Commissioner where required.
6. Disclosure of Personal Information
We will not disclose your Personal Information except in the following circumstances:
With Your Consent: Where you have expressly agreed to the disclosure.
Service Providers: To third-party service providers (e.g., IT providers, analytics platforms, or chatbot services) who assist in delivering our Services, subject to strict confidentiality agreements and compliance with the Privacy Act 2020.
Legal Obligations: Where required by law, court order, or regulatory authority, including to comply with obligations under the Privacy Act 2020 or other applicable legislation.
Business Purposes: For Submissions (e.g., reviews or testimonials) provided on public platforms or directly to us, we may use such information for marketing or other reasonable business purposes, as permitted by law.
7. Third-Party Services and Links
The Website may use third-party services, such as Google Analytics or chatbot platforms, to enhance functionality. These services may collect and process data in accordance with their own privacy policies, which we do not control. We encourage you to review the privacy policies of these third-party services. The Website may also contain links to external websites. We are not responsible for the content, accuracy, or privacy practices of these external sites, and you access them at your own risk.
8. Data Retention
We retain Personal Information only for as long as necessary to fulfil the purposes outlined in this Policy or to comply with legal obligations. Upon expiration of the retention period, we securely destroy Personal Information by erasing digital data or securely disposing of physical records, in accordance with best practices and the Privacy Act 2020.
9. Your Rights
Under the Privacy Act 2020, you have the following rights regarding your Personal Information:
Access: You may request a copy of the Personal Information we hold about you.
Correction: You may request correction of any inaccurate or incomplete Personal Information.
Complaints: If you believe your privacy rights have been breached, you may lodge a complaint with us or the Office of the Privacy Commissioner.
To exercise these rights, please contact us at Privacy@EmployeeFirst.NZ. We will respond to requests within the timeframes required by the Privacy Act 2020, typically within 20 working days.
10. Cookies and Tracking Technologies
We use cookies and similar technologies to enhance Website functionality and analyse user behaviour. You may adjust your browser settings to disable cookies, but this may limit access to certain Website features. Our use of cookies and third-party analytics tools, such as Google Analytics, is detailed in our Terms and further explained in this Policy.
11. Updates to this Policy
We may update this Policy at our sole discretion to reflect changes in our practices or legal requirements. The updated Policy will be posted on the Website, and continued use of the Website or Services constitutes your acceptance of the revised Policy. This Policy was last updated on 17 July 2025.
12. Contact Information
For inquiries, requests, or complaints regarding this Policy or your Personal Information, please contact:
Email: Privacy@EmployeeFirst.NZ
Postal Address: Employee First NZ, c/- Ishan Shanbhag, 5 Tern Place, Unsworth Heights, Auckland 0632
If you are dissatisfied with our response, you may contact the Office of the Privacy Commissioner at www.privacy.org.nz.
13. Limitation of Liability
To the fullest extent permitted by law, the Company is not liable for any loss, damage, or expense (including indirect or consequential loss) arising from the collection, use, or disclosure of your Personal Information, except where such liability cannot be excluded under the Privacy Act 2020 or other applicable New Zealand laws. Where liability cannot be excluded but can be limited, our liability is limited to NZ$151, as specified in our Terms.
14. Severability
If any provision of this Policy is deemed invalid, illegal, or unenforceable by a court of competent jurisdiction, that provision will be modified to the extent necessary to make it enforceable. If modification is not possible, the provision will be severed, and the remaining provisions will remain valid and enforceable.
15. Entire Agreement
This Policy, together with our Terms, constitutes the entire agreement between you and the Company regarding the collection, use, and disclosure of Personal Information, superseding all prior agreements or representations, whether written or oral.