Show up with legal representation that the opposition respects
Not all employment lawyers and employment advocates are equally respected. Work Law's team of Employment Law Advocates are well respected in the area of NZ employment law. Being represented by someone who doesn't inspire respect, or doesn't show up looking and acting in a professional manner can be very detrimental to the outcome of your case.
Taking your case to the ERA
The Employment Relations Authority is an employment court that deals with employment disputes. It holds investigation meetings and gives a determination or decision that is binding and enforceable.
When you have a dispute with your employer that you cannot resolve between yourselves mediation is the preferred next step in the dispute resolution process. Where the parties cannot agree to attend mediation the Authority can direct the parties to mediation.
Being represented by an Employment Lawyer or Employment Advocate
Although you can take your own case to the authority you can choose to have a legal representative. Representation by a professional increases your chances of a successful outcome. The ERA are not able to give you legal advice, nor do they assist you to prepare for the investigation meeting. There is an added expense when you choose to be represented, whether you pay a lawyer an hourly rate or choose a no win no fee advocate you are still paying a fee somehow. However, at the end of the hearing, the ERA member usually orders the unsuccessful party to contribute towards your costs. All details are recorded in the Record of Settlement, which is signed by both your employer and yourself.
We can help you go to the Authority to obtain remedies for your grievance. Our employment advocates will act on your behalf, prepare the paperwork including the application and witness statements as well as appear on your behalf to conduct the case.
We can undertake compliance proceedings if the other party does not make payment pursuant to the determination.
Most important of all we can assess the financial and other risks you have in seeking arbitration through the Authority and suggest the best way forward.
Contact us if you are contemplating going to the Authority, or if you cannot get your employer to agree to go to mediation. We can provide you with a free and confidential case assessment.
What our clients are saying
Thanks to Hilary for a great outcome.
I reached out to Hilary at Work Law after looking for an ELINZ registered advocate and she exceeded every expectation. She got in touch quickly, immediately understood the value of my case, and clearly explained what I needed to provide.
Hilary put in countless hours reviewing my documents and preparing a personal grievance claim. Her communication was consistent, honest, and down‑to‑earth.
Thanks to Hilary’s expertise and hard work, I had a great outcome, my family and I are so grateful!
Hilary was strategic, clear and logical in her approach.
Hilary handled my case with great care and professionalism, especially during a very stressful moment in my life. Throughout the process, she was very strategic, clear and logical in her approach, which gave me a lot of confidence.
I am grateful for her support and would highly recommend her services to anyone looking for trustworthy, high level representation.
I recommend Hilary.
Since the beginning, Hilary was kind and professional with communications, always clear and happy to clarify any doubts. She guided me through the process explaining expectations and timelines with excellent skills for negotiation. I am very grateful for her services and the outcome and really recommend her.
Theo was an excellent, kind and responsive advocate.
I was being bullied by a powerful and vile local public figure. It mattered to me that my advocate shared my values. Theo had very sharp and quick answers to my questions in the first phone conversation, and helped me navigate the fine line between a satisfactory defense of my professional reputation and a moral victory. It isn’t always possible to get both, but Theo had a good idea about where i stood each step of the way and helped me make sure that my outcome preserved my professional reputation while also sending a clear moral message to my employers, who would have just as soon thrown me under the nearest bus. They will think twice before they consider allowing a bully to run roughshod over their employees again.
Don’t resign or quit before you speak to an employment law expert.
If something feels wrong at work – don’t resign or quit before you talk to someone who really knows employment law. Hilary at Work Law is amazing. She listened, she fought hard, and she helped me get through one of the toughest times of my life. I’m so grateful I called her before giving up. Highly recommend!