Mediation Trends – October 2025
Senior Associate Lynn Booker reflects on the trends seen by our team in workplace mediations, including the rise of team conflict, and the growing impact
Senior Associate Lynn Booker reflects on the trends seen by our team in workplace mediations, including the rise of team conflict, and the growing impact
There are a variety of different types of employment agreements that can apply to employment relationships, including:
An employee whose religion required him to observe the Sabbath (in this case, from sunset Friday to sunset Saturday) was successful in the Human Rights Review Tribunal in his case of religious discrimination. He had obtained a job at AFFCO’s meatworks, being asked merely if he was available for overtime. In similar employment previously, overtime had been voluntary and the employee had been able to fit it around his Sabbath observance. So, when asked by AFFCO, he had merely answered in the affirmative.
This is in response to a recent Court ruling that found a week is the longest period which salaried workers could be assessed for compliance with the Minimum Wage Act.
A Marlborough man has been fined $15,000 for not wearing a helmet while riding a quad bike at work – and for carrying a helmetless child as a passenger.
In total 44 farms were visited between December 2013 and early April 2014 and 31 were found to be in breach of minimum employment rights.
Key Decision – Electrical Union 2001 Inc v Mighty River Power Ltd
Ms Balmaceda was employed by Amphibian Swimming Academy Limited (the respondent) as a swimming instructor on 10 June 2013 until she was dismissed on 15 August 2013 pursuant to a 90 day trial provision in her employment agreement. Ms Balmaceda filed a personal grievance alleging unjustified action by the respondent which caused her disadvantage. The unjustified action was the refusal to pay her wages.