Employment relations

Employment relations in New Zealand: the employer’s hub

Employment relations (ER) is how you manage the working relationship with your people, especially when things get hard: performance, conduct, grievances, restructures and exits. In New Zealand, getting the process right matters as much as the decision. These guides explain how, in plain English.

Most serious employment problems start as small issues handled late or handled badly. New Zealand law sets a high bar for fair process, and the cost of getting it wrong is real: personal grievances, mediation, remedies and the stress on everyone involved.

The guides below cover the employment relations situations Hello Monday is asked about most. They are general information to help you understand your obligations and options. For a specific situation, talk to us before you act, ideally before any formal step is taken.

LegislationThe Employment Relations Amendment Act 2026: what employers need to do nowWhat the Employment Relations Amendment Act 2026 changed for NZ employers, from 21 February 2026: the fair-process test, a $200k threshold, contractor rules and grievance remedies.8 min read · Read the guide →Employment relationsThe personal grievance process in NZ: an employer’s guideHow the personal grievance process works in New Zealand: the grounds, the 90-day time limit, how to respond, mediation, the Authority and the remedies employees can seek.9 min read · Read the guide →Employment relationsHow to run a fair disciplinary process in NZA step-by-step guide to running a fair disciplinary process in New Zealand: investigation, allegations in writing, the meeting, the right to support, and a fair decision.8 min read · Read the guide →Employment relationsRestructuring and redundancy in NZ: a fair process for employersHow to run a fair restructuring and redundancy process in New Zealand: genuine business reasons, consultation, considering feedback, redeployment, and getting the process right.9 min read · Read the guide →HiringUsing a 90-day trial period in NZ: the rules and the pitfallsHow to use a 90-day trial period correctly in New Zealand: who can use one, the strict requirements under section 67A, and the common mistakes that make a trial period invalid.7 min read · Read the guide →Employment relationsHow to run a fair workplace investigation in NZHow to run a fair workplace investigation in New Zealand: natural justice, clear allegations, the right to respond, an impartial investigator, and genuine consideration.8 min read · Read the guide →Employment relationsConstructive dismissal in NZ: what it is and how to avoid itWhat constructive dismissal means in New Zealand, when a resignation becomes a dismissal, the employer conduct that triggers a claim, and how employers can avoid the risk.8 min read · Read the guide →

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