Appendix A: Service and support available
If you require further information and guidance about any matter covered here or about any other employment relations matter:
- call Department of Labour Contact Centre free on 0800 20 90 20; or
- visit our website where you can also find easy-to-read information, publications, and fact sheets on specific employment issues to assist you to create and manage better workplace relationships.
Ask a Labour Inspector
Labour inspectors monitor, investigate and enforce minimum employment conditions set out in various Acts of Parliament. The functions of the inspector involve providing employees and employers with information and education to enable them to become compliant with the law. They also have a role to assist employers implement systems and practices in the workplace that comply with the minimum standards.
If it appears that any of these laws has been breached in a workplace, an inspector may intervene in the workplace to ensure there is compliance with minimum employment standards.
Go to Mediation
Our mediators can, if invited, assist you to deal with workplace problems that arise. They operate informally and formally, can provide you information, visit your workplace, and meet both parties separately or together for one meeting or a series of meetings.
Mediators are based at offices around New Zealand.
Apply to the Employment Relations Authority
If you have not resolved a problem through the options available in mediation services, the Employment Relations Authority is available to formally investigate issues, determine whether mediation could assist, and rule accordingly.
The Authority is based at Auckland, Hamilton, Wellington and Christchurch and will travel to other main centres.
If a party is not happy with the decision of the Employment Relations Authority the Employment Court is available to all parties.
Visit the Employment Relations Authority website for more information.
Other legal obligations
This booklet focuses on matters mostly under the Employment Relations Act, the Holidays Act, the Minimum Wage Act, the Parental Leave and Employment Protection Act and the Wages Protection Act. You should also be aware that other legislation impacts on employment relationships. For example, the antidiscrimination provisions of the Human Rights Act and the Equal Pay Act apply to all employment relationships. Also, the Privacy Act and the Accident Compensation Act may well also have an impact.
The Department of Labour’s Contact Centre for workplace enquiries on 0800 20 90 20 will put you in touch with the appropriate source of advice on these matters.
You can get assistance from other Department of Labour services
Health and safety in the workplace is another area where employers and employees need to be able to work effectively together. Often unsatisfactory management of safety issues can eventually result in employment relations problems, as well as unsafe working environments. Information about Health and Safety in Employment (HSE) is available the Department of Labour website. There are offices throughout NZ.
You can:
- find out about workplace health and safety law, by visiting the Department of Labour website or call the Department of Labour Contact Centre free on 0800 20 90 20
- get advice on workplace safety and health
- report a workplace accident, injury or illness
- find out how to identify and manage hazards in the workplace or prevent injuries in your workplace.
Get more information about immigration on the Immigration New Zealand website or by calling 0508 55 88 55
You can:
- find out about immigration in New Zealand
- get information for new migrants to settle in New Zealand
- get information on how to apply for a visa to work or study in New Zealand.
Assistance from unions and employers’ organisations
You may wish to seek assistance from your union or employers’ organisation. A phone call could help to resolve your problem or avoid costly mistakes. You can get union contact details at www.union.org.nz or employers’ organisation contact details at www.businessnz.org.nz.
