News and Resources | Gibson Sheat Lawyers, Wellington

Employment

Employment Relations Amendment Bill 2026: Key Changes for Employers and Contractors

The Employment Relations Amendment Bill 2026 introduces significant changes to New Zealand employment law. These include a new income threshold for unjustified dismissal claims, clearer statutory tests for contractor status, amendments to personal grievance remedies, and removal of the 30 day rule. We outline the key changes and what they mean for employers and contractors.

Employment

Trial period traps in NZ: strict rules, risks, and law changes

The Employment Relations Authority has recently reminded employers of the strict legal requirements for trial periods and the risks in trying to rely on them incorrectly. The case also highlights how an employee’s own conduct can affect remedies when compensation is awarded.

Employment

New Employer Wage Laws 2025: Criminal Penalties for Withholding Pay

The Crimes (Theft by Employer) Amendment Act 2025 introduces criminal penalties for employers who intentionally withhold wages or entitlements from their employees. This means wage disputes can now lead to prosecution, fines, or even imprisonment. While the law targets deliberate underpayment, employers must be cautious with payroll accuracy, deductions, and compliance with the Wages Protection Act 1983. Genuine mistakes won’t attract criminal liability, but poor recordkeeping or ignorance of entitlements may not offer protection. Now more than ever, robust payroll systems and legal compliance are essential.

Employment

Andrew Little Joins Gibson Sheat Lawyers

Former Leader of the Opposition and Cabinet Minister Andrew Little has transitioned from the halls of Parliament to the world of legal consultancy.

Employment

Closedown periods, annual leave and working on a public holiday

What you need to know before this holiday season

Employment

Understanding The New Rules on Personal Grievance and Sexual Harassment

The Employment Relations Amendment Act 2023 extends the time for personal grievance claims to be raised which involve allegations of sexual harassment from 90 days to 12 months.

Employment

Can employees be stopped from taking on a second job?

In New Zealand, employees have the right to work for other employers, even if they are already employed full-time.

Employment

Understanding The Fair Pay Agreements Bill

The Fair Pay Agreements Bill (“the Bill”) provides a framework for employee unions and employer representatives of a specific industry or occupation to bargain fair pay agreements (“FPAs”).

Employment

Children were employees at Gloriavale

The Employment Court has ruled that three members of the Gloriavale Christian community were employees not volunteers

Employment

Public holidays when you're on ACC - who pays?

Should employers pay workers who are off work on ACC for public holidays?

Employment

Vaccine Mandates - the High Court decision on NZDF & Police

Yardley v Minister for Workplace Relations and Safety – understanding the decision declaring the government’s NZDF and Police vaccination mandates unlawful.

Employment

Covid-19 Legislation update - Workplace Issues

We’ve heard the commentary, read the media articles, and mused over it with acquaintances – but what do the new government changes really mean for employers?

Employment

Employment: Trial vs. probationary periods - what is the difference?

Trial and probationary periods look very similar and are used for similar reasons but they are fundamentally different.

Employment

Case Study: Minimum wage impacts on workers in lockdown

At times it feels like a distant memory, but for some people, the battle over lost wages from Covid-19 lockdowns has continued long after the country felt it was getting back to normal…the first time.

Employment

Employment Webinar - Vaccinations and your employees

Advice accurate as at 28 October 2021.
Join Gibson Sheat's Employment Team of Mike Gould and Nikki Farrell as they discuss the New Zealand regulations around vaccination in the workplace.

Insights

Employment Relations Amendment Bill 2026: Key Changes for Employers and Contractors

Trial period traps in NZ: strict rules, risks, and law changes

New Employer Wage Laws 2025: Criminal Penalties for Withholding Pay

Andrew Little Joins Gibson Sheat Lawyers

Closedown periods, annual leave and working on a public holiday

Understanding The New Rules on Personal Grievance and Sexual Harassment

Can employees be stopped from taking on a second job?

Understanding The Fair Pay Agreements Bill

Children were employees at Gloriavale

Public holidays when you're on ACC - who pays?

Vaccine Mandates - the High Court decision on NZDF & Police

Covid-19 Legislation update - Workplace Issues

Employment: Trial vs. probationary periods - what is the difference?

Case Study: Minimum wage impacts on workers in lockdown

Employment Webinar - Vaccinations and your employees

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