Law Lenz: Employment Law Done Right

Guess who’s back… and newly married!

After a couple months away for a big, bold, beautiful and very chaotic wedding, Sanam is back behind the mic! And she is ready to dive into the latest shake up in New Zealand employment law.

The Employment Relations Amendment Act 2026 has officially passed.

That means new rules, new thresholds, and plenty of questions for employers.

What does the contractor gateway test actually mean in practice...

Engaging a contractor usually starts with good intentions. Sometimes it can end with you realising you have an employee on your hands instead.

This bite sized breakdown gives you a practical look at why contractor arrangements often fall apart when you move from paper to practice. In this episode, join me, Sanam, as I unpack what a true contractor actually looks like in the real world. Not in theory. Not in templates. In practice.

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Restraints of trade are one of the most misunderstood clauses in New Zealand employment agreements. Some employees think they are meaningless. Some employers think they are bulletproof. Both assumptions can land you in trouble.

In this episode, host Sanam unpacks how restraints actually work in practice and why the Employment Relations Authority (ERA) has moved well past the idea that they are “not worth the paper they’re written o...

Is the Holidays Act finally getting scrapped? The Coalition Government has officially announced plans to ditch the Holidays Act and replace it with a new Employment Leave Act. If your brain immediately went to “uh oh… payroll,” you’re not alone!

In this episode, join host Sanam as she breaks down everything we know so far about the announcement. From key changes to what the new rules mean for different types of workers, this episod...

You’ve just been hit with a personal grievance. Stress is high and the stakes feel even higher. The last thing you need is confusion about who to turn to or how to brief them.

In this episode, host Sanam talks through the difference between lawyers, advocates and consultants, and how to decide who is the best fit for you. She also shares what to say when you meet with them, how to avoid wasting time and money, and a simple framewor...

The shocking assassination of Charlie Kirk has ignited global conversations about free speech, politics, and the boundaries of expression. But how does this play out in your workplace? In New Zealand, political expression by employees is a legal minefield. Employers must carefully balance freedom of expression with the duty to protect reputation, maintain trust, and comply with employment law standards.

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Pay secrecy in New Zealand workplaces is on its way out! With the Employment Relations (Employee Remuneration Disclosure) Amendment Bill moving through Parliament, employers will soon no longer be able to rely on confidentiality clauses to stop staff talking about pay.

This is more than a legal technicality. It’s a cultural shift that will shape workplace transparency, trust, and team dynamics. It's critical to know how the law app...

The Coldplay kiss cam broke the internet last week and no one expected to see a CEO and CPO (yep, the head of HR!) in the spotlight. But beyond the headlines lies a much juicier compliance dilemma.

We recognise that many employers across New Zealand probably haven't even thought about workplace relationships or where they can go wrong. In this episode, host Sanam pulls apart the legal implications of workplace romances, especially...

Job advertisements are often overlooked in the compliance conversation, but under New Zealand employment law, they matter more than you might think. The language you use can shape your brand, attract the right candidates, or land you in legal trouble (yikes!).

In this episode, join host Sanam as she breaks down the legal risks hidden in everyday job ads. From subtle bias in wording to outright discriminatory requirements. You’ll le...

In this Ask Law Lenz episode, we tackle one of the most common and misunderstood questions in New Zealand workplaces: “Can I just hire them as a casual?”

While it might be easy to label someone a casual employee, ensuring they actually are casual in the eyes of the law is a whole different story.

Join host Sanam as she unpacks what legally defines a casual employee under New Zealand employment law, busts common myths, and highlight...

Dismissing an employee always feels scary. Even if you think you've got it in the bag, you’re left wondering… have I done everything right?

Because the reality is when you get it wrong, it can cost you time, trust, and cash. So what does “getting it right” actually look like?

In this episode, we're diving into a real-life case from the Employment Relations Authority involving a shift manager, suspicious GPS data, and a whole lot of...

Law Lenz is officially back from break! While we were gone, employment law kept on moving. So much so, that on 13 May 2025, the Coalition Government passed urgent changes to New Zealand’s Equal Pay laws. By introducing hierarchical comparators, that claims must have "merit" and redefining what counts as a female-dominated workforce, the changes have impacted employees across industries such as healthcare, teaching and corrections. ...

The minimum wage increase is just around the corner - 1 April 2025 isn’t far away. The big question is, are you ready? Many employers focus on payroll adjustments, but there’s a lot more to consider. From pay parity concerns to budgeting strategies, pricing reviews, and employee conversations, this episode breaks down everything you actually need to consider.

Join host Sanam as she walks through key steps to ensure a smooth transit...

Wage theft has become a major topic of debate, especially with Australia recently criminalising intentional underpayments. The conversation has recently resurfaced in New Zealand and it seems we may be following suit.

In this episode, we explore New Zealand’s Wage Theft Bill, officially known as the Crimes (Theft by Employer) Amendment Bill. This proposed law aims to make it a criminal offense for employers to intentionally withhol...

Big changes are coming to New Zealand’s Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV). The government is rolling out a series of reforms throughout 2025, fundamentally shifting the way employers hire and retain migrant workers.

So, what’s changing? From scrapping the median wage requirement to adjusting job check processes, reducing experience thresholds, and introducing new seasonal visa pathways, these reforms are designed to address skil...

It’s a new year, and major reforms are on the horizon! In late 2024, the Coalition Government unveiled sweeping changes set to shake up New Zealand’s employment law landscape. These updates aren’t just policy tweaks, they’re set to reshape how businesses operate in 2025 and beyond.

Join host Sanam as she unpacks these reforms in plain English and provides insights to help you prepare.

What’s in this episode:

• Personal grievance...

As Law Lenz wraps up for the festive season, host Sanam wants to take a moment to say a huge THANK YOU!

This year has been nothing short of phenomenal, thanks to you. We’ve reached more listeners than we ever imagined, and we’ve had the absolute privilege of connecting with so many of you. Your support, whether it's spreading the word, reaching out, and tuning in each week, has been the driving force behind the growth of Employment...

Annual closedowns are a regular occurrence for many businesses across New Zealand. However, they often come with a range of questions and compliance concerns. Whether your business shuts its doors over Christmas or during another seasonal break, getting the details right is essential.

In this episode of Employment Law Done Right, host Sanam provides a quick refresher on the top tips for managing annual closedowns effectively. This ...

‘Tis the season for festive cheer, and that means one thing… the work Christmas party! But before you deck the halls and celebrate, there are a few key things to keep in mind to make sure your holiday bash is both merry and safe.

In this episode, host Sanam covers everything employers need to know for a memorable (and incident-free) work party. From employer obligations under New Zealand’s Health and Safety at Work Act 2015 to sett...