Agenda

HR Law Masterclass Conference

Auckland/Tāmaki Makaurau 28th March 2023 | Wellington/ Pōneke 29th March 2023

08:50

Chairperson Welcome Address

Auckland: Simon Lapthorne, Partner, Kiely Thompson Caisley 
Wellington: Chloe Luscombe, Partner, Dundas Street Employment Lawyers 

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

09:05

Panel: Updates in Employment Law and Latest Risks for Employers Including Discussions on:

Restraint of trade clauses and hours of work
Income insurance scheme and what this would mean for employers if it is introduced
Variations to Individual Employment Agreements
Updates to the Fair Pay Agreements Bill and what this means for employers
Holidays Act update

09:50

Interactive Scenario Based Discussions

Interactive discussion to work through and resolve a common, yet complex HR issue whilst increasing awareness of relevant employment laws and policies.

Auckland Wellington
Sherridan Cook, Partner, Buddle Findlay
Bronwyn Heenan, Partner, Simpson Grierson
Jim Roberts, Partner, Hesketh Henry
Emma Peterson, Partner, Russell McVeagh
Mary Breckon, Senior Associate, Simpson Grierson
Jordan Boyle, Senior Associate, Dyhrberg Drayton
Emma Peterson, Partner, Russell McVeagh

Possible areas of discussion:

Difficult conversations and dispute resolution
Independent Contracting Arrangements
Union negotiation and bargaining processes
Disability Discrimination and Reasonable Adjustments
Workplace investigations

10:35

Morning Tea

10:55

Managing Ill and Injured Employees

Auckland: Maria Green, Special Counsel, Lane Neave
Wellington: Emma von Veh, Senior Associate, Buddle Findlay

Identify key return to work risks of ill & injured employees
Navigate the complexities of gathering and using medication information
Clarify what to do when in doubt about legitimacy of illness or injury claims
Leverage case law examples and real-world practical strategies to manage ill and injured workers and mitigate the risk of claims

11:40

AUCKLAND

Workplace Mental Health – Risks, Prevention and Your Duty of Care Obligations

Auckland: James Cowan, Senior Associate, Anderson Lloyd

WELLINGTON

The Modern Workplace; Flexible and Hybrid Working Arrangements

Wellington: Kirsty Wallace, Senior Associate, Duncan Cotterill

AUCKLAND

Addressing employer’s duty of care obligations in the current climate and mental health risks
Identifying workforce issues leading to employee fatigue and burnout
Developing systems to support the recognition of psychosocial hazards, psychological risk, and mental health warning signs

WELLINGTON

Managing flexible work arrangements and managing a hybrid workforce
Addressing developments in working arrangements, leave, and pay
Risk factors to consider for agile / hybrid working environments
Employer workplace law obligations for considering flexibility requests

12:25

Lunch

01:10

INTERACTIVE SCENARIO BASED DISCUSSION – Managing Performance in the Workplace
Auckland: Kirsti Laird, Senior Associate, SBM Legal
Wellington: Johanna Drayton, Partner, Dyhrberg Drayton

Practical session to work through a performance management issue from start to resolution, addressing the latest performance processes and how to avoid common pitfalls

01:55

AUCKLAND

The Modern Workplace; Flexible and Hybrid Working Arrangements

Auckland: John Farrow, Partner, Anderson Lloyd,
Fi McMillan, Special Counsel, Anderson Lloyd

WELLINGTON

Workplace Mental Health – Risks, Prevention and Your Duty of Care Obligations

Wellington: Andy Bell, Partner, Lane Neave

AUCKLAND

Managing flexible work arrangements and managing a hybrid workforce
Addressing developments in working arrangements, leave, and pay
Risk factors to consider for agile / hybrid working environments
Employer workplace law obligations for considering flexibility requests

WELLINGTON

Addressing employer’s duty of care obligations in the current climate and mental health risks
Identifying workforce issues leading to employee fatigue and burnout 
Developing systems to support the recognition of psychosocial hazards, psychological risk, and mental health warning signs

02:40

Afternoon Tea

03:00

Emerging Employment Law Trends across the Asia Pacific Region

As the impact of the pandemic and its effects have a lessening impact on labour markets and workplaces throughout Asia Pacific, the changes brought about during that period continue to evolve. As we look to the future, many challenges will remain across the region.

Auckland & Wellington: Carl Blake, Partner, DLA Piper , Julia MacGibbon, Senior Associate, DLA Piper

This session will cover:

Key legislative and case-law developments for APAC jurisdictions
APAC trends: workers in offshore jurisdictions – employment and tax issues
Post pandemic workplace issues across APAC – the new normal

03:45

Investigating Bullying, Harassment, and Sexual Harassment
Auckland: Melissa Johnston, Partner, McVeagh Fleming
Wellington: Rachel Burt, Barrister and Workplace Reviewer

Understanding legislation covering bullying and sexual harassment: The ERA; Human Rights Act; Protected Disclosures Act; Health and Safety at Work Act
Being proactive, thereby reducing risk; and instigating different ways for employees to report bullying, harassment or sexual harassment     
Managing a complaint formally or informally? Looking at factors to influence your approach, and assessing the seriousness of an allegation

04:30

Chairperson’s Key Takeaways and Closing Address

04:40

End of Event 

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