Conference Agenda
8:50
Chairperson Welcome Address
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Employment Law Major Updates
Auckland: Simon Lapthorne, Partner, Kiely Thompson Caisley
Wellington: Chloe Luscombe, Partner, Dundas Street Employment Lawyers
09:05
Workplace Mental Health and Psychosocial Hazards in a Hybrid Environment
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Psychosocial risks in the workplace
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How employers can take proactive steps to embed psychosocial safety in
their organisations -
Managing mental health and wellbeing during performance and disciplinary processes
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What regulations are on the horizon to address psychosocial risks?
Auckland: John Farrow, Partner, Anderson Lloyd; AJ Lodge, Partner, Anderson Lloyd
Wellington: James Cowan, Senior Associate, Anderson Lloyd; William Fussey, Associate, Anderson Lloyd
09:50
Managing Ill and Injured Employees
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Leverage case law examples and real-world practical strategies to manage ill and injured workers and mitigate the risk of claims
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Abandonment of employment
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Sick leave, ACC payments, understanding employer obligations
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Clarify what to do when in doubt about legitimacy of illness or injury claims
Auckland: Melissa Johnston, Partner, McVeagh Fleming
Auckland: Mike Mercer, Senior Associate, Simpson Grierson
10:35 Morning Tea
10:55
Handling Complaints and Conducting Investigations
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Ensuring fair process is followed during a workplace investigation
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Do employees have the right to see the complaint, what is the time frame?
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Can employment be terminated without a workplace investigation
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Standard of proof required in workplace investigations
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Bullying vs reasonable management action
Auckland: Alastair Espie, Partner, Duncan Cotterill
Wellington: Olivia Lund, Partner, Duncan Cotterill
11:40
Insights from Across the Globe
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In this session we'll delve into global regulation changes on the horizon. These insights
will shed light on how evolving international regulations could effect the labour market
and workplaces in New Zealand.
Auckland and Wellington: Laura Scampion, Country Managing Partner and Head of Employment New Zealand, DLA Piper
Carl Blake, Partner, DLA Piper
12:25 Lunch
1:10
INTERACTIVE SCENARIO BASED DISCUSSION: Managing Poor or Difficult Employee Behaviour and Serious Misconduct
Join us for a session designed to encourage critical thinking about employment law in a scenario context. The session includes small group discussions, group reporting, expert feedback with insights and take-aways from our lawyer, and a Q&A session.
Auckland: Joseph Harrop, Senior Associate, Lane Neave
Wellington: Andy Bell, Partner, Lane Neave
1:55
Terminations and Preventing Unjustifiable Dismissal Claims
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Understanding when reinstatement may be a primary remedy for an
unjustified dismissal claim -
Common pitfalls and when liabilities related to terminations emerge
*Allowing for response by the employee
*During performance improvement/ performance management
*Terminations for reasons of absences: when an employer can
terminate employment -
Meeting requirements for redundancy
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Terminations during trial periods, probationary periods, and following restrictions to
the use of trial periods
Auckland: Georgina McAdam, Senior Associate, Dentons Kensington Swan
Wellington: Ruvin Pattiaratchi, Senior Associate, Dentons Kensington Swan
2:40 Afternoon Tea
3:00
Panel Discussion: Employment Law Updates and Changes
Potential topics:
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Revisions to the Holidays Act and leave entitlements
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Introduction of the Worker Protection (Migrant and Other Employees) Bill and
The Crimes (Theft by Employer) Amendment Bill -
What employment law changes can we expect post-election?
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Update on Fair Pay Agreements
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How to make your workplace more neuro-inclusive including; inclusive recruitment and
flexibility during the hiring process, reasonable accommodations, learning and development
3:45
INTERACTIVE ROUNDTABLE DISCUSSIONS
Roundtable discussion to work through and resolve a common, yet complex
HR issue whilst increasing awareness of relevant employment laws and policies.
Possible areas of discussion:
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Sexual harassment
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Disciplinary processes
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Unjustified disadvantage claims
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Managing Drugs and Alcohol in the workplace
Auckland: Rosemary Wooders, Partner, Bell Gully
Sherridan Cook, Partner, Buddle Findlay
Jim Roberts, Partner, Hesketh Henry
Emma Peterson, Partner, Russell McVeagh
Sarah McFetridge, Senior Associate, Bell Gully
Wellington: Emma Peterson, Partner, Russell McVeagh
Jordan Boyle, Partner, Dyhrberg Drayton
Andrea Pazin, Special Counsel, Bell Gully
Emma von Veh, Senior Associate, Buddle Findlay
Jessica Taylor, Senior Solicitor, Buddle Findlay
4:30 Chairperson’s Key Takeaways and Closing Address
4:40 End of Conference