NZ Minimum Rights of Employees Factsheet

When most people think of people management or HR, they think of attracting, hiring and retaining good people. They think about using their people to ensure business goals are being met. However, people often overlook the role HR plays in keeping a business on the right side of employment law in NZ.

What can you expect?

If you’re a small business leader, you’ll already be aware that HR compliance, though often neglected, is an integral part of your responsibilities. One of these responsibilities is understanding that the minimum rights of an employee are the responsibility of the employer.

These exist to protect employees at work – both onsite and remotely.

Minimum rights of employees include, amongst others, entitlement to a written employment agreement, for all full-time, part-time, permanent, fixed-term, or casual staff. Employee agreements apply to every employee and should comply with minimum entitlements and responsibilities stated by law.

In fact, the law can be applied even where such rights are not expressly mentioned by the employee’s employment agreement or where there is no employment agreement to begin with.

We’ve developed this employee rights factsheet in partnership with a legal expert to help you understand the minimum rights of employees in New Zealand.

Disclaimer: The information in this guide is relevant as at 7 June 2024, and has been prepared by Employment Hero Pty Ltd ABN (11 160 047 709) (Employment Hero). The views expressed herein are general information only and are provided in good faith to assist employers and their employees. The Information is based on data supplied by third parties. While such data is believed to be accurate, it has not been independently verified and no warranties are given that it is complete, accurate, up to date or fit for the purpose for which it is required. Employment Hero does not accept responsibility for any inaccuracy in such data and is not liable for any loss or damages arising either directly or indirectly as a result of reliance on, use of or inability to use any information provided in this written guide.