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Conference Agenda

Pages from HR Law AU Masterclass Brochure

WELLINGTON / PŌNEKE : 25 MARCH

AUCKLAND/TĀMAKI MAKAURAU : 27 MARCH

08:50

Chairperson Welcome Address

  • Addressing changes to employment relations policies, government priorities and implications for employers

Auckland:  Simon Lapthorne, Partner, Kiely Thompson Caisley  ​​

Wellington:  Chloe Luscombe, Partner, Dundas Street   ​

09:05

The Latest Employment Law Updates in New Zealand 

  • Understanding the new test for contractors  

  • Reforming the Health and Safety at Work Act and its regulations   

  • What your business needs to do to prepare for the proposed amendments to the Holidays Act   

  • What else can employers expect in 2025 

Auckland:  James Warren, Partner, Dentons and Georgina McAdam, Senior Associate, Dentons​

Wellington:  Renee Butler, Partner, Dentons​

09:50

Presentation: Psychosocial Safety: Prevent, Manage and Safeguard 

  • The relationship between the Employment Relations Act and the Health and Safety at Work Act when it comes to mental health in the workplace  

  • What are an employer’s obligations when it comes to mental health in the workplace  

  • Mental health and medical incapacity  

  • Developments in Australia – is this where New Zealand is heading? 

Auckland:  Kirsti Laird, Senior Associate, SBM Legal ​

Wellington:  Emma Peterson, Partner, Russell McVeagh​

10:35 Morning Tea

10:55

Employee Privacy Matters: How to comply with privacy law obligations as an employer

  • Do you need a privacy policy in your workplace and if so, what should be in it?  

  • What is considered a privacy breach in a workplace?  

  • Steps to be taken if there is a privacy breach in your workplace 

  • Recent decisions and guidance from the Privacy Commission

Auckland:  June Hardacre, Partner, MinterEllisonRuddWatts​

Wellington:  June Hardacre, Partner, MinterEllisonRuddWatts​

11:40

INTERACTIVE SCENARIO BASED DISCUSSION:
Conducting Workplace Investigations in the Right Way: Bullying and Harassment Complaints  

During this session you will work through a hypothetical scenario where a conflict or allegation has been raised in the workplace. This session is designed to equip you with the essential tools to conduct thorough, impartial, and just investigations. Through interactive engagement, you'll learn step-by-step approaches to ensure accuracy, fairness, and objectivity in your investigative processes. 

Auckland:  India Townsend, Senior Associate, Simpson Grierson ​

Wellington:  Mike Mercer, Senior Associate, Simpson Grierson ​

12:25 Lunch

1:15 

Addressing Developments in Workplace Flexibility and Productivity 

  • Negotiations on flexibility pre-employment.  

  • Managing differing expectations of employers and employees regarding working from home and flexible working arrangements.   

  • Responding to flexible working arrangements and requests.   

  • Reasonable grounds to reject a flexibility request.  

  • Steps to amend an employee's current flexible working arrangement.  Is that even possible? 

Auckland:  John Farrow, Partner, Anderson Lloyd ​​

Wellington:  John Farrow, Partner, Anderson Lloyd​

2:00

Presentation: Insights from Across the Globe  

In this session we'll delve into global regulation changes on the horizon. These insights will shed light on how evolving international regulations could affect the labour market and workplaces in New Zealand.   

Auckland:  Julia MacGibbon, Senior Associate, DLA Piper  

Wellington:  Julia MacGibbon, Senior Associate, DLA Piper   ​

2:45 Afternoon Tea

3:05

Panel Discussion: Addressing Discrimination in the Workplace

  • Discriminatory job listings and interview questions   

  • Inclusive recruitment and flexibility during the interview and hiring process  

  • Making the workplace inclusive and understanding discrimination risks    

  • Responding to a discrimination claim 

Auckland: 
Rosemary Wooders, Partner, Bell Gully

Jordan Boyle, Partner, Dyhrberg Drayton Employment Law 
Kylie Dunn, Partner, Smith Dunn 

Jim Roberts, Partner, Hesketh Henry 

​

Wellington:  
Jordan Boyle, Partner, Dyhrberg Drayton Employment Law

Kirsty Wallace, Special Counsel, Duncan Cotterill ​

3:50

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:     

  • Navigating Redundancies   

  • Contract Management: When contracts go wrong  

  • Engaging in Exit Negotiations and Documenting Agreements  

  • Sick Leave and Medical Incapacity  

  • Managing Drugs and Alcohol in the workplace 

Auckland: 
Rebecca Compson, Senior Associate, Bell Gully   

Melissa Johnston, Partner, BE Employment Law 
Jordan Boyle, Partner, Dyhrberg Drayton Employment Law

Kylie Dunn, Partner, Smith Dunn

​

Wellington:  
Jordan Boyle, Partner, Dyhrberg Drayton Employment Law

Kirsty Wallace, Special Counsel, Duncan Cotterill

​

4:35 Chairperson’s Key Takeaways and Closing Address

4:45 End of Conference

Pages from HR Law AU Masterclass Brochure
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