JUNE 2024 Case Law Updates: A Summary

Stay informed with our latest case law updates for members, for June 2024 across New Zealand.

In recent case law, courts have issued significant rulings on various employment issues such as -  Employers were ordered to comply with consultation clauses, increase remedies for employees challenging decisions, and were scrutinized for timely handling of grievances. Claims of constructive dismissal and discrimination were addressed, with some employees successfully raising personal grievances against third parties. Substantial compensation was awarded for health and safety breaches, and the lack of written employment agreements led to findings of unjustified disadvantage. 

The Employment Relations Authority upheld claims of unjustified dismissal, noting instances where employees were abruptly or improperly dismissed after predetermined accusations. Investigations found redundancies and restructuring processes to be not genuine, and casual employees were reclassified as permanent, leading to unjustified dismissal findings. Issues of employer blackmail, union duty breaches, and secret employee monitoring were also highlighted, alongside concerns over recovering training costs from resigned employees.

Overall, the Authority's decisions emphasize the importance of fair employment practices and adherence to legal obligations.

You can view ALL the latest updates on our Case Law page.