Being in an unsafe working environment can make your job increasingly difficult. Employers must provide a safe workplace, with proper training, supervision and equipment. This duty includes identifying, assessing and managing hazards in the workplace, and investigating health and safety incidents in the workplace.
Employees must take reasonable care to keep themselves safe and to avoid causing harm to other people by the way they do their work.
Employees may refuse work likely to cause them serious harm and employees have the right to participate in improving health and safety.
If you feel that you are working in an unsafe environment you should raise the issue with your employer. Wherever possible, you should raise the issue in writing, via email, and ask for a response. If your employer is unwilling to discuss or resolve the issue – contact us, our company can assist you in dealing with your concerns.
Please provide a timeline of events, and any evidence of you making your employer aware of the situation.
Bullying and harassment is also a health and safety issue. See our page on bullying here: Bullying In The NZ Workplace.
Can you be fired for refusing to work in unsafe conditions?
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I highly recommend Kam Bailey
I highly recommend Kam Bailey to assist in any type of employment matter – whatever the stage of the case she always looked at redressing the power balance in favour of the client. She was always helpful and offered suggestions and solutions at the relevant time. I am so sorry I had to call on you in the first instance but thank you again Kam! Geoff
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You can email us using the form below. When you receive the automated reply to your email please reply and attach any correspondence you have received from your employer.