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?
Read our reviews:
Hilary Had My Back Every Step of the Way
Rarely does one want/need a lawyer, but when circumstances required I obtain one, Hilary and the WorkLaw team took exceptionally good care of me, had my back all throughout, and ensured the best possible outcome. It was an educational-process to say the least, but I am glad I trusted Hilary and went with WorkLaw.
Reassuring Guidance Through a Stressful Time
I cannot thank Sandy enough for her support throughout my employment matter. From the very beginning she was professional, knowledgeable, reassuring, and incredibly easy to communicate with during what was a very stressful time for me. Sandy always made sure I understood the process, gave honest advice, and handled everything calmly and professionally. Thanks to her guidance, we achieved a very positive outcome that I was genuinely happy with. I highly recommend Sandy and Work Law to anyone needing employment advice or representation. Thank you again Sandy. I truly appreciate everything you did for me.
Confidence and Support Every Step of the Way
Aston was more than a pleasure to work with, he was determined, reassuring and straight to the point. He gave me confidence and comfort the whole way through. Aston is a fast paced worker who would always get back to you within a short time frame and was keen on getting things sorted. He is professional and he is also wholesome, taking into consideration of your feelings and understanding that a person can only deal with so much. He made everything feel like it would be sorted out eventually and to not give up hope. I would recommend Aston to ANYONE that needs employment advise, and i would definitely be going back to him if i ever found myself in a situation where needed. Highly recommend Aston. Enjoyed working with him from start to finish. 12/10 Thanks again for everything Aston.
Professional Support Through a Difficult Time
Yes my case and circumstances were complex, due to my mental health problems, I’m happy cause I got the right lawyer, my case was treated with professional and caring procedures within the guidelines and boundaries of a professional representive, who has first hand experience in helping someone in my position, I think the end result was a fair result for everybody involved in my case,, thank you very much Andrea and employment law, I can now move forward in my life with what was a very stressful time in my life regards kevin
Recommended.
We were kept informed throughout the process which was professionally handled by Sandy.
The resulting settlement was far greater than we expected
Would recommend your company to anyone with employment issues.
CONTACT US FOR A FREE CASE EVALUATION
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Statistics prove that legal representation for employees by an employment lawyer or employment law advocate improves your chance of a successful outcome.
You have nothing to lose by having a free consultation with an Employment Law Advocate.
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.