Employment Law.

As employment lawyers, let us note that employment law (the Employment Relations Act 2000) provides employees who feel they have been treated unjustly by their employer with considerable opportunity to pursue their own remedies. Employers need to be rigorous in ensuring they comply with their legal obligations.

In the first instance, most claims against employers go through a mediation process. In the majority of such situations, an agreement is reached at that stage. If agreement is not reached, then the most common route is to the go to a defended hearing in front of the Employment Relations Authority, with a right of appeal to the Employment Court. Somewhat different procedures are available for more complex disputes.

An important part of employment law is to try to avoid disputes in the first place. This process ought to start with fair and unambiguous employment contracts. Many disputes start with the employer and employee not really knowing the basis of their relationship at the beginning. The process of avoiding disputes then moves on to the proper management of that relationship if difficulties arise. We can help with all of this.

Our employment lawyers provide assistance in areas such as:

• Employment agreements

• Employment disputes

• Business restructuring employment issues

• Personal grievances including wrongful dismissal and constructive dismissal

• Holiday and sick leave entitlements

• Parental leave

• Redundancy issues

• Restraints of trade

• Sexual harassment

• Discrimination

• Occupational safety & health

• Independent investigations into allegations

Many of our lawyers have excellent employment law knowledge. If you need employment law advice for an employment dispute or other issues regarding employment or employee rights, we suggest you contact Ella Gaffney, Siobhan Rastrick or Gerard De Courcy.

For employment lawyers providing sound employment law advice, ring Downie Stewart Lawyers Dunedin today: 03-477 2263.