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Proposed Sports Anti-Doping Rules 2020 under consultation
Posted by Benefitz Admin on October 14 2019
The Board of Drug Free Sport New Zealand has advised that it proposes to make the Sports Anti-Doping Rules 2020 under section 16 of the Sports Anti-Doping Act 2006. The 2020 Rules will amend the Sports Anti-Doping Rules 2019. The draft 2020 Rules and the material incorporated by... Read the rest of this entry
To sue or be sued: The first questions your lawyer should ask.
Posted by Benefitz Admin on September 13 2019
What better way to start off our first newsletter than with something that has been dear to my heart for almost 30 years now. Suing. A lot of fun and interest for me and my team, but for many of you – probably uncertainty or if you’ve been there before, you might liken it to having a... Read the rest of this entry
Overseas Investment Act: Removing unnecessary red tape
Posted by Benefitz Admin on September 13 2019
Consultation on phase two of potential reforms to the Overseas Investment Act 2005 is underway. The recent consultation document released by the Treasury follows from last year’s phase one changes which restricted foreign investment in ‘residential property’. The... Read the rest of this entry
Workplace bullying attacks your bottom line – how to deal with it
Posted by Benefitz Admin on September 13 2019
Often I am called in to help solve bullying issues in the workplace. Usually, this is when the relationships between the parties is already close to breakdown. For instance, not long ago I helped a medical practice with an investigation into multiple complaints of bullying and sexual harassment.... Read the rest of this entry
Building sector facing significant legislative reform
Posted by Benefitz Admin on September 13 2019
In a recent discussion paper, the Government identified a number of longstanding problems within the building sector including inconsistent and insufficient practices, low productivity, labour shortages and poor health and safety practices. It has therefore proposed changes to five areas of the... Read the rest of this entry
MBIE is Targeting Construction Companies
Posted by Benefitz Admin on September 4 2019
MBIE is Targeting Construction Companies You might have heard in the news recently that four construction companies (CNZ Homes, Vanguard Construction, MX Construction and GL Siteworks) have all received infringement notices for breaching Employment Relations Act 2000 and Holidays Act 2003,... Read the rest of this entry
Domestic Violence Leave
Posted by Benefitz Admin on March 21 2019
New type of paid leave for victims of domestic violence available from 1 April 2019 The Domestic Violence—Victims’ Protection Act 2018 will come into force on 1 April 2019. From that day, domestic violence victims will be able to take a new type of paid leave, and seek a... Read the rest of this entry
Changes to Employment Relations Amendment Bill
Posted by Benefitz Admin on March 21 2019
Employment Relations Amendment Bill passes second reading Last year we wrote an article about proposed changes to the Employment Relations Act 2000 ( Click here ). The Bill passed its second reading in Parliament and came into force in December. Unionised employers should be happy... Read the rest of this entry
Anti-Money Laundering (AML) Compliance
Posted by Benefitz Admin on July 5 2018
How New AML Legislation Affects Our Clients Why we need to ask you for information Recent changes to the Anti-Money Laundering and Countering Financing of Terrorism Act 2009 ( Act ) mean that from 1 July 2018, lawyers in New Zealand will be subject to the Act. The legislation... Read the rest of this entry
Business Guide to Unfair Contract Terms
Posted by Benefitz Admin on May 14 2018
If you are a business that deals with consumers and you use standard form contracts, you need to make sure your terms are fair. The Commerce Commission has recently launched a series of videos and quick guides to help businesses avoid unfair contract terms in standard form consumer contracts. Read the rest of this entry
The Overseas Investment Amendment Bill
Posted by Benefitz Admin on April 6 2018
The Overseas Investment Amendment Bill ( Bill ) was introduced to Parliament on 14 December 2017 and will amend the existing Overseas Investment Act 2005 ( Act ). The intent of the Bill is to restrict the acquisition of residential land by overseas investors and to ensure that any such... Read the rest of this entry
Minimum wage when on call
Posted by Benefitz Admin on April 4 2018
Workers entitled to be paid minimum wage for each hour when on call Community service workers are often required to undertake sleepovers as part of their role. They must remain on site overnight to be on hand to deal with any issues that arise. The law has been clear since the Court of... Read the rest of this entry
Employment relations amendment bill
Posted by Benefitz Admin on April 4 2018
Moves are underway to strengthen rights for employees, collective bargaining and union rights in the workplace In February this year the Government introduced the Employment Relations Amendment Bill to Parliament. The Bill proposes a number of changes to employment law which will affect all... Read the rest of this entry
Does your contract contain unfair terms?
Posted by Benefitz Admin on March 6 2018
The Fair Trading Act introduced provisions which came into force on 17 March 2015 prohibiting any inclusion of unfair contract terms ( unfair terms ) in standard consumer contracts. The new provisions apply to all standard consumer contracts entered into after 17 March 2015 between a business... Read the rest of this entry
NZ trust law to change – What does it mean to you?
Posted by Benefitz Admin on March 6 2018
Trust law in New Zealand is undergoing significant change. The new law will apply to old and new trusts, although there will be a transitional period for existing trusts to adapt to certain parts of the new law. The proposed changes will make trust law more accessible. It will clarify... Read the rest of this entry
New sentencing approach under Health and Safety at Work Act 2015
Posted by Benefitz Admin on November 6 2017
The recent decision in Worksafe New Zealand v Rangiora Carpets Ltd provides further guidance on sentencing under Health and Safety at Work Act 2015. Rangiora Carpets Limited was prosecuted for health and safety breaches after a worker slipped off the side of a mezzanine and fell through... Read the rest of this entry
Announcing a new appointment: Deanna Clark – Special Counsel
Posted by Benefitz Admin on October 26 2017
Shieff Angland is very pleased to announce the appointment of Deanna Clark as Special Counsel Deanna is widely experienced in property and commercial law. As part of her experience, she spent nine years working in London in the Real Estate teams of multinational law firms doing... Read the rest of this entry
First Health and Safety at Work Act 2015 sentencing demonstrates the new legislation’s teeth
Posted by Benefitz Admin on September 12 2017
Businesses across New Zealand have been awaiting – not without some trepidation – the first sentencing under the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015. And the result is a significant fine, demonstrating that the Act does indeed have teeth. Budget Plastics Ltd was prosecuted... Read the rest of this entry
MBIE increasing focus on holiday pay records and Pay Equity – What’s next?
Posted by Benefitz Admin on June 22 2017
MBIE – increasing focus on holiday pay – do your systems meet the standards? Increasingly, we are seeing the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment’s Labour Inspectorate undertaking random audits of businesses to check their holidays and leave records. There are... Read the rest of this entry
"He said, she said" - Assessing employee credibility
Posted by Benefitz Admin on April 10 2017
Guidance for employers from the Court of Appeal when faced with two conflicting stories One of the most difficult positions an employer carrying out a disciplinary process can find themselves in is having to decide which employee is most likely telling the truth when their statements of... Read the rest of this entry