Law Lenz: Employment Law Done Right

People wouldn’t usually connect Easter Sunday with employment law. So being a day where religious significance is at the forefront, why does employment law matter? In this episode, Sanam takes you on a journey through the intriguing twists of the Shop Trading Hours Act. A piece of legislation that came into play in 1990 and gained peculiar amendments in 2016. Forget what you know about the Employm...

The 29th of February may not have shaken New Zealand, but it sure stirred up some internet commotion. Every four years, the leap year brings with it the familiar question that never fails to spark debates. In this Ask Law Lenz segment, Sanam unravels the age-old query: Are you really working for free on a leap day? Dive into a lighthearted episode where Sanam dissects the confusion surrounding lea...

Prepare for imminent shifts in minimum wage. With changes to kick in on 1 April 2024, the adult minimum wage will see a modest 2% increase. This offers a welcome change to employers reeling from a staggering 48% increase over the past eight years. In typical discussions about minimum wage changes, crucial aspects often go unnoticed. This episode delves into the new minimum wage rates, unraveling t...

Yes, you read that title right! In this episode, we boldly tackle an unpopular opinion that verbal warnings are obsolete. Verbal warnings are regularly thought of as a resource for managing employees, but how effective are they? Especially in the grand scheme when you are considering termination.  With common myths such as "three strikes and you're out" or verbal warnings being a stern talking to,...

On 6 January 2024, the Worker Protection (Migrant and Other Employees) Act came into effect. This ushered in significant changes across the Employment Relations Act, Immigration Act, and Companies Act. If you're involved in hiring migrant workers or work in HR, understanding these changes is crucial to compliance and avoiding legal consequences. This episode delves into the core aim of the legisla...

As businesses shifted online during the peak of COVID, many employers embraced remote work. Today, remote work has emerged as a talent magnet for both employers and employees. However, as we are now seeing employers push for on-site returns, the efficiency of remote work is under scrutiny. In this Ask Law Lenz episode, designed for both employers seeking legal insights and employees with concerns,...

Navigating the delicate process of declining annual leave requests is an unavoidable challenge in any workplace. The impact can be twofold – either the employee understands the decision, fostering a positive work environment, or negative feelings fester, potentially leading to dissatisfaction.  In this episode, host Sanam delves into the challenging topic of declining annual leave requests and its...

In December of last year, the landscape of trial periods underwent a significant shift, unraveling new possibilities for every employer out there. This change brings a breath of fresh air, allowing businesses of all sizes to embrace the 90-day trial period clause. If you haven't ventured into trial periods lately or want to ensure you're on the right track, this episode is tailor-made for you. Joi...

Have you ever considered implementing an employee handbook? When was the last time you reviewed your current policies? Amid the hustle of daily operations, the potential of this humble handbook often goes unnoticed. An employee handbook can transform your workplace by creating a more transparent and harmonious environment. Giving your employees one go-to document where they can easily answer any q...

Welcome to the inaugural Ask Law Lenz segment! Happy New Year to all our listeners celebrating today! Join our host, Sanam, as she delves into a timely question from a New Zealand employer in the hospitality sector. Unraveling the complexities of casual employment, this episode explores the collision of public holidays with set working days and the ensuing questions about holiday entitlements. Pee...

Merry Christmas from Law Lenz! Hold onto your festive hats because our latest episode is unwrapping the most crucial employment law changes that you won't find under the Christmas tree. The NZ Coalition Government has just dropped two major updates that are set to redefine the game!  In this episode, join Sanam for a quick legal update covering the Employment Relations (Trial Periods) Amendment Bi...

Another year, another round of public holiday puzzles! While public holiday entitlements might seem straightforward for those on the 9 to 5 grind, the intricacies of rotating rosters and weekend shifts add layers of complexity to an already intricate area of law.  Tune in for a deep dive into the Holidays Act with Sanam as she not only deciphers the complexities of otherwise working days, public h...

Whether referred to as work trials, practical evaluations, or interviews, a pre-employment work trial serves as a valuable resource for employers and HR professionals. It allows a comprehensive assessment of an individual's skills before extending a job offer, recognising that a brief interview might not always suffice. Join Sanam in this episode as she navigates the complexities of work trials—a...

In this impromptu episode of Law Lenz, host Sanam dives into the unexpected world of workplace attire, with a focus on the controversial topic of wearing shorts. Inspired by a Human Resources Director New Zealand article, we explore the findings of a survey conducted by Frog Recruitment, where 34% of corporate office workers expressed their willingness to wear shorts to work anytime. In this episo...

Annual closedowns are a common practice for businesses across New Zealand. While providing notice to employees is standard, compliance with the Holidays legislation involves more than meets the eye. If you're contemplating a closedown, this episode is tailored for you! Whether you are looking for a refresher or new insights, we've got you covered. Explore the intricacies of closedowns, including:...

You can no longer use 90-day trial periods when hiring employees on an Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV). This episode provides a quick legal update on the changes introduced by Immigration New Zealand (INZ) on 29 October 2023. If an AEWV impacts you or you have an application pending with INZ, then this update is for you!  Subscribe and follow this podcast to stay up-to-date with Law Lenz! Sha...

Did you know that in New Zealand, you can hire a 5 year old? It’s true, New Zealand has no minimum age limitations for employees. But like any area of employment law, there are rules that employers need to follow. With the holiday season fast approaching and business getting busier, will you be hiring young people? If you're a business owner gearing up for summer or just keen to navigate the hirin...

Here is a quick look at what Law Lenz has to offer!    Disclaimer: The content presented in this episode is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as legal advice. The host does not assume any liability for actions taken based on the content of this podcast. While the host is a lawyer, they are not your lawyer and the information provided is based on general legal information...

The National Government is in, and Labour is out! In this podcast, I discuss the upcoming changes in New Zealand to Fair Pay Agreements, trial periods, immigration and much more.   Subscribe and follow this podcast to stay up-to-date with Law Lenz! Follow us on  LinkedIn for the latest legal insights and more!  Got questions? Send them in, and we'll discuss them in our next episode. Email your que...