Employment

Employment law

Employment law deals with the relationship between employer and employee. Fortunately most employment relationships are fruitful for both employer and employee, however as with all relationships there are sometimes breakdowns. The Employment Relations Act 2000 governs these situations.

Employment contracts

By law an employer must provide an employee with their employment terms, (known as a statement of terms) within 2 months of the employee's start date. However, a statement of terms is the bare minimum required by law. A comprehensive contract of employment allows an employer to specify an employee's duties and responsibilities; this also means that an employee knows exactly what is expected of them. Dawsons can assist you in compiling your standard employment contracts. A good employment contract provides a framework for when a relationship goes wrong. 

Employment contracts may also have additional clauses such as:

• Accepting gifts & benefits
• Corporate entertainment
• Intellectual property rights
• Computer use and internet policy
• Office conduct & dress code
• Relationships within the workplace
• Restrictions on employees taking second jobs
• Right to search
• Use of protective clothing & equipment
• Grievance and Disciplinary Policy
• Liability issues
• Restraint of trade provisions for employees who leave your company

Disputes

In the event that an employment relationship breaks down we can provide the following services :

• Advising on dismissals, redundancies and other terminations of employment
• Disputes resolution
• Enforcing employment agreements
• Negotiating, drafting and interpreting employment agreements
• Occupational Health and Safety matters
• Personal grievance claims
• Representing clients in mediation and before the Employment Relations Authority

Dawsons can also assist employers to safely terminate the employment of staff so that personal grievances can be avoided.