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The Human Resources Institute of New Zealand

Essential Employment Law

Presented by the Human Resources Institute of New Zealand
Led by Angela Atkins and/or Lisa Reidy

Introduction

This course is a one day workshop with a post course assessment component to test base level knowledge. It is facilitated by Angela Atkins and/or Lisa Reidy who also facilitate the HRINZ Refresh HR workshops.

As with Refresh HR courses the content is very practical, with lots of discussions, real employee questions to answer, exercises, regular quizzes, case studies and employment case law examples. The post course assessment will include reading through six case studies and answering how you would deal with each, applying what you have learned. Feedback on your answers will be provided.

Level: General

Learning Objectives

  • Ability to explain the steps to follow when working through a disciplinary procedure or planning a restructure
  • Effectively applying legislation and case law to resolve six real life HR case studies
  • Demonstrating understanding of the key points of the 12 pieces of the legislation covered

HRINZ HR Competencies Include

  • Business Knowledge (Value Chain, Value Proposition)
  • HR Delivery (Staffing & Recruitment, Performance Management, Health, Safety & Wellness, Legal Compliance)

Topics Covered

We focus on the day on the following Acts:

  • Employment Relations Act Essentials: Clauses required in IEAs and CEAs, different employment types, good faith, unions and collective bargaining, flexible working, meal breaks and other amendments
  • The Ins and Outs of the Holidays Act: Annual leave, sick leave, bereavement leave and public holidays; this includes dealing with medical certificates, ACC and correct payment for the type of leave
  • Handling the Human Rights Act: Lawful and unlawful discrimination and how to ask interview questions without collecting discriminatory information
  • Privacy Act Principles: The 12 principles and how they apply to all aspects of employment

We also cover the key pointers from these Acts:

  • Criminal Record Act: What can you ask candidates about their criminal history and when
  • KiwiSaver Act: New and transferring employees, employer contributions and Government benefits
  • Health and Safety Act: Hazards, harm, serious harm, near misses, stress, accidents and injuries
  • Minimum Wage Act: What do you have to pay and when doesn’t the minimum wage apply?
  • Volunteers Protection Act: What is it and when does it apply?
  • Protected Disclosures Act: What obligations do employees and employers have on ‘whistle blowing’ and the differences between public and private sector
  • Juries Act: What it covers and what policies you should have
  • Wages Protection Act: Overpayments, deductions and other key points

And cover these other processes:

  • Warnings: Step-by-step guide to working through a disciplinary process
  • Dismissals: Section 103a of the ERA and making sure your decision is fair and reasonable
  • Restructuring and Redundancy: Step-by-step process to work through a restructure

The Workshop Presenter

In 2012 Essential Employment Law will be led by either Angela Atkins or Lisa Reidy.

Angela Atkins is an experienced generalist HR Manager, L&D Manager, facilitator, HR coach and consultant. She has over 13 years HR experience within the tertiary, local government, retail, contact centre, pharmaceutical and financial services sectors. She is the co-founder of Elephant Training and HR, is passionate about practical HR and training, and is the author of two books: Management Bites (a practical guide to people management and NZ employment law) and Employment Bites (a practical guide to HR), both published by HarperCollins NZ.

Lisa Reidy has over 14 years HR experience and worked in senior HR roles within the tertiary and financial services sectors as well as having significant experience as a coach, mentor and facilitator. She has also worked in the telecommunications, advertising and pharmaceutical industries. Lisa has a BA in psychology and a Post Graduate Diploma in HR. Her approach is practical and she is passionate about learning and working with managers and individuals to develop their skills and improve how they work.

Comments from Past Participants

"The course was very informative and I really enjoyed the way the course was formatted. Law in any form can be quite a dry subject, but the way the course was presented ensured that the concepts were conveyed well. This was very helpful for myself as this was my first course in NZ employment law." - Essential Employment Law Delegate Varna Suresh, 29 July 2011 ACKD

"It was a brilliant course. I will recommend it to everyone I know. Angela Atkins is one of the best facilitators I have come across." -Essential Employment Law Delegate 29 July 2011 ACKD

Dates and Venues

Wellington: 19 June, 8.30- 5.00pm (Register Now)
Venue: Wellington TBC
Led by: Angela Atkins

 

Registration Fees

HRINZ Members: $895 + gst
Non Members: $1295 + gst

Your course fee includes morning, afternoon teas and lunches and post course assessment.

Cancellations

Please see the cancellation policy.

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