Burning Issues in Employment Law Forum 2024 (On Demand)

This On Demand was recorded on 28 November 2024.

The Burning Issues Forum (On Demand) returns with an engaging new edition, expertly facilitated by The Law Association of New Zealand’s Employment Law Committee. Chaired by former Chief Judge Colgan, the session promises a combustive mix of timely topics that will ignite critical discussions around the latest developments in employment law.

This On Demand will spark with an overview of imminent law reforms on the horizon and landmark decisions currently before the Court of Appeal, which could fan the flames of significant impacts on employment practices. Next, we’ll delve into the simmering issue of employee fraud, examining the complexities of managing criminal and employment processes simultaneously.

Illustrated by key insights from the Dr Siouxsie Wiles and Cronin-Lampe cases, the discussion will then transition into how employers are navigating their obligations in a world where external stressors are increasingly impacting workplace dynamics.

We’ll round off the session with a deep dive into redundancy and restructuring, shedding light on crucial elements such as employee selection processes, redeployment obligations and recent decisions (including the TVNZ Ltd v E Tū Inc and the PSA v Secretary of Education cases).

Get ready to engage with blazingly brilliant minds!

Learning Outcomes

Gain insights into imminent law reforms and landmark cases before the Court of Appeal, understanding their potential impact on employment law and workplace practices.
Explore the rise in employee fraud cases, and how to navigate the complexities of managing both criminal and employment processes.
Examine employer obligations related to external stressors impacting employees, including the implications of public harassment and social media’s influence on workplace stress.
Stay up-to-date on the latest developments in redundancy and restructuring, including legal obligations around redeployment and employee selection processes, with a focus on recent court decisions.

Who should watch?

All employment lawyers, general practitioners providing advice on employment law, ERA members and Employment Court judges.

Presenters

Her Honour Judge Kathryn Beck

Alison Maelzer, Partner, Hesketh Henry

Bridget Smith, Partner, Smith Dunn

Scott Worthy, Partner, Kiely Thompson Caisley

Chair: Graeme Colgan, Barrister

Special Participation: Her Honour Chief Judge Inglis will contribute via a short pre-recorded video, providing valuable perspectives to enrich the discussion.

Scott Worthy

Scott is a partner at Kiely Thompson Caisley and an editor of Thomson Reuters’ Employment Law. He has broad experience advising on the full range of employment issues. His practice frequently involves advice on restructuring and redundancy, managing employee performance, disciplinary processes and health and safety. He also provides advice on restraints of trade and privacy law.

Scott regularly represents clients in mediations and before the courts. His clients are involved in a broad range of sectors including manufacturing, IT, retail, health and aviation.

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Bridget Smith

Bridget is a founding partner of Smith Dunn, along with Kylie Dunn. She advises on the full range of employment law issues for employers and employees. She also practises in the area of health and safety, having appeared before the Royal Commission into the Pike River Coal Mine Tragedy, and she is a specialist and qualified workplace investigator (AWI-CH).

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Her Honour Judge Kathryn Beck

Judge Beck was appointed as a Judge of the Employment Court in Auckland in July 2020 and sworn in on 7 August. She is based in Auckland.

Judge Beck was a partner in Haigh Lyon, a firm with an extensive employment law history, she then founded what became SBM legal with Penny Swarbrick in 2005 and remained there up until her appointment as Judge. While in practice, Judge Beck acted for both employers and unions.

Judge Beck brings over 30 years of practical legal experience to the bench. She was President of the New Zealand Law Society from 2016 to 2019 and was Vice President before that. She was a Convener of the NZLS Employment Law Committee, a submitter for the Law Society to Select Committees on legislative change, and has presented at numerous conferences and educational events.

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Alison Maelzer

Alison is a Partner in the Employment Law Team at Hesketh Henry, and has practised in the employment jurisdiction for over 20 years. Her background includes large firm and in-house local government experience, and she represents clients at mediation, in the Employment Relations Authority, and Employment Court. Her expertise in the employment law sector has been recognised by the major legal directories, including Chambers Asia-Pacific and Legal500 Asia Pacific. She also regularly comments on topical employment law matters in the media.

Alison’s experience covers the breadth of employment law issues, representing employers, employees, and unions in matters ranging from statutory compliance to negotiated solutions to employment relationship problems.

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Graeme Colgan

Graeme is a barrister and employment law specialist, practicing in the areas of employment mediation, arbitration (as both arbitrator/mediator and counsel), opinions and independent employment investigations. From 1989 until 2005, Graeme was a Judge of the Labour and Employment Courts, and Chief Judge from 2005 until mid-2017. Graeme is a member of the NZLS and The Law Association of New Zealand, and a member of the Australasian Association of Workplace Investigators. He is also a Judge of the United Nations Appeals Tribunal, the appellate court for employment-related disputes for UN staff.

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Details

CPD Hours: 2.00hr

Pricing Details

Ticket Price

Member: $150 GST

Non-Member: $210 GST