News/Articles

Progress towards gender equity

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September marked a significant month for women.  120 years were celebrated since New Zealand women became the first in the world to win the right to vote.  And in a landmark test case the Employment Court found systematic bias against women, in a case where the Court also accused female dominated industries of perpetuating a systemic bias by undervaluing work that has traditionally been done by women.

The case was between Kristine Bartlett, a caregiver at a rest home facility operated ...

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Flexibility rewards employers

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Despite a number of controversial aspects to the Employment Relations Amendment Bill being considered by Parliament at present, amendments to the provisions around flexible working arrangements have been relatively well received by employee advocates.

The Bill proposes to amend the provisions around flexible working, by allowing any employee to request flexible working arrangements.  At present, the Act only confers eligibility on employees with caring responsibilities.  Amendments also cover matters such as when and how often an employee may request flexible working ...

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DTI Director Andrea Twaddle on National Radio

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DTI Director Andrea Twaddle on National Radio

Andrea provided legal commentary to Radio New Zealand regarding the implications from increasing smartphone use and the extension of the working day.

Played on Nine to Noon with Kathryn Ryan on Wednesday the 17th of July 2013.

http://www.radionz.co.nz/national/programmes/ninetonoon/audio/2562377/law-with-andrea-twaddle

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Directors to take the lead on health and safety

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New Zealand’s workplace health and safety record is not one to be proud of.  There are simply far too many people being killed or seriously injured at work.  The forestry and mining industries are justifiably under the spotlight.  Change needs to be led from the top and there are a number of proposed changes to our health and safety framework with that in mind.

The Royal Commission on the Pike River Coal Mine Tragedy was clear that:

“The board and directors are best ...

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Don’t risk breaching privacy

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Media has been overflowing with breaches of privacy lately; the GCSB; Buller District Council dumping (in public view) financial records about ratepayers; client files/information lost on public transport; and the release of private information relating to earthquake-damaged homes.

The workplace is not immune from the present scrutiny about how we manage private information.  Tensions arise about where the balance fairly sits regarding the employer’s “right to know” and employee’s “right to privacy”.  This is particularly pertinent when considering the many ways ...

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