--- title: Employment Agreement Negotiation description: Before signing your employment agreement contract, get expert review and negotiation support to secure fair and lawful employment terms. --- [Skip to content](https://solidarityemploymentadvocacy.com/employment-agreement-negotiation#main-content) [![Solidarity Employment Advocacy Logo Banner Auckland New Zealand](https://solidarityemploymentadvocacy.com/hs-fs/hubfs/SEAL%20Logo%20Banner.png?width=1584&height=396&name=SEAL%20Logo%20Banner.png)Homepage](https://solidarityemploymentadvocacy.com/) - [Home](https://solidarityemploymentadvocacy.com) - [Services](https://solidarityemploymentadvocacy.com/services) - [Overview](https://solidarityemploymentadvocacy.com/services) - [How We Support Employees with Employment Disputes](https://solidarityemploymentadvocacy.com/services#how-we-support-employees) - [Employment Matters We Specialise In](https://solidarityemploymentadvocacy.com/services#employment-matters-we-specialise-in) - [Unfair Treatment At Work](https://solidarityemploymentadvocacy.com/unjustified-disadvantage) - 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[Unfair Dismissal](https://solidarityemploymentadvocacy.com/unjustified-dismissal-nz) - [Constructive Dismissal](https://solidarityemploymentadvocacy.com/constructive-dismissal) - [Workplace Bullying](https://solidarityemploymentadvocacy.com/workplace-bullying) - [Health and Safety Failures](https://solidarityemploymentadvocacy.com/health-and-safety-failures) - [Discrimination in the Workplace](https://solidarityemploymentadvocacy.com/discrimination-in-the-workplace) - [Harassment (including Sexual Harassment)](https://solidarityemploymentadvocacy.com/harassment) - [Retaliation or Victimisation](https://solidarityemploymentadvocacy.com/retaliation-or-victimisation) - [Redundancy (including Sham Redundancy)](https://solidarityemploymentadvocacy.com/redundancy) - [Procedural Failures](https://solidarityemploymentadvocacy.com/procedural-failures) - [Breaches of Good Faith](https://solidarityemploymentadvocacy.com/breaches-of-good-faith) - [Trial Periods](https://solidarityemploymentadvocacy.com/trial-periods) - [Breach of Minimum Protections](https://solidarityemploymentadvocacy.com/breach-of-minimum-protections) - [Pay and Wage Disputes](https://solidarityemploymentadvocacy.com/pay-and-wage-disputes) - [Leave Entitlement Breaches](https://solidarityemploymentadvocacy.com/leave-entitlement-breaches) - [Misclassification of Employment Status](https://solidarityemploymentadvocacy.com/misclassification-of-employment-status) - [Unjustified Disciplinary Action](https://solidarityemploymentadvocacy.com/unjustified-disciplinary-action) - [Workplace Stress and Mental Harm](https://solidarityemploymentadvocacy.com/workplace-stress-and-mental-harm) - [Privacy Breaches](https://solidarityemploymentadvocacy.com/privacy-breach) - [Exit Negotiation](https://solidarityemploymentadvocacy.com/exit-negotiation) - [Migrant Exploitation](https://solidarityemploymentadvocacy.com/migrant-exploitation) - [Employment Premiums](https://solidarityemploymentadvocacy.com/employment-premiums) - [Fixed-Term or Casual Employment Breaches](https://solidarityemploymentadvocacy.com/fixed-term-or-casual-employment-breaches) - [Employment Agreement Review and Negotiation](https://solidarityemploymentadvocacy.com/employment-agreement-negotiation) - [How It Works](https://solidarityemploymentadvocacy.com/services#how-it-works) - [Useful Resources](https://solidarityemploymentadvocacy.com/useful_resources) - [About](https://solidarityemploymentadvocacy.com#about) - [Contact](https://solidarityemploymentadvocacy.com/contact) [Get in touch](https://solidarityemploymentadvocacy.com/contact) ![Employment Legal Support Auckland New Zealand](https://solidarityemploymentadvocacy.com/hubfs/16.webp "Employment Legal Support Auckland New Zealand") # Employment Agreement Negotiation ### What It Is An employment agreement negotiation is the process of discussing and agreeing to the terms and conditions of your job before you start — or when your role, pay, or responsibilities change. Every employee in New Zealand must have a written employment agreement, whether they are permanent, fixed-term, part-time, or casual. Negotiation ensures that your rights, pay, hours, duties, and entitlements are fair, lawful, and transparent. Our advocates help employees understand, review, and negotiate agreements — ensuring compliance with the Employment Relations Act 2000 (ERA 2000), Holidays Act 2003, Minimum Wage Act 1983, and Human Rights Act 1993. ### Your Rights and the Law - **ERA 2000 s 63A–s 64** — All employees must be offered a written employment agreement before starting work. - **ERA 2000 s 65(1)** — The agreement must include terms covering pay, hours, duties, holidays, and the process for resolving employment problems. - **ERA 2000 s 4(1A)(b)** — Employers must act in good faith during bargaining, ensuring openness and genuine negotiation. - **Holidays Act 2003 s 16–71** — Sets minimum annual-leave, sick-leave, and public-holiday entitlements that cannot be contracted out of. - **Minimum Wage Act 1983 s 6** — Ensures minimum hourly pay regardless of what’s written in the contract. - **Human Rights Act 1993 s 22** — Prohibits discrimination in employment terms, including pay and conditions. ### Common Negotiation Issues - Unclear or missing job descriptions. - Pay rates below the minimum wage or market standard. - Unlawful clauses restricting secondary employment. - Fixed-term clauses without a genuine reason. - Broad or unfair disciplinary or performance clauses. - Trial or probation periods not compliant with ERA s 67A–67B. - Unclear expectations around overtime, break, or leave entitlements. ### Process (How It Generally Works) 1. **Document Review** – Our advocate reviews your draft employment agreement for compliance with the ERA 2000 and other statutes. 2. **Identify Issues** – We highlight clauses that are unlawful, ambiguous, or disadvantageous. 3. **Negotiate with Employer** – We communicate on your behalf or coach you on reasonable counter-offers (e.g., salary, hours, flexibility). 4. **Amend and Approve** – Final adjustments are made, and the signed agreement is stored securely for your records. 5. **Post-Agreement Support** – We can also review later variations or performance clauses to ensure ongoing compliance. ### Potential Outcomes / Benefits - **Fair and lawful contract** reflecting your true role and pay. - **Improved terms** on salary, hours, or flexibility. - **Protection from future disputes** by clarifying ambiguous clauses. - **Confidence** that your rights under the ERA 2000 and related Acts are protected. - **Reduced risk** of exploitation or disadvantage. ### Take Action Today Before signing or renewing your employment agreement, ensure your rights are protected and every clause complies with the law. [Get in touch with us](https://d.docs.live.net/89efc045ef4485f9/Documents/solidarityemploymentadvocacy.com/contact) to arrange a no-obligation consultation about your situation. Our advocates will review your contract, explain your rights in plain language, and negotiate fairer terms on your behalf — ensuring you start work on a strong, lawful foundation. [![Solidarity Employment Advocacy Logo Banner Auckland New Zealand No Win No Fee Employment Law](https://solidarityemploymentadvocacy.com/hs-fs/hubfs/33_.webp?width=1584&height=396&name=33_.webp "Solidarity Employment Advocacy Logo Banner Auckland New Zealand No Win No Fee Employment Law")](https://solidarityemploymentadvocacy.com/) While we are based in Central Auckland we represent employees across New Zealand [mailto:mailto:contact@solidarityemploymentadvocacy.com](mailto:mailto:contact@solidarityemploymentadvocacy.com)[tel:+64223199356](tel:+64223199356)[sms:+64223199356](sms:+64223199356) - [Home](https://solidarityemploymentadvocacy.com) - [Services](https://solidarityemploymentadvocacy.com/services) - [Useful Resources](https://solidarityemploymentadvocacy.com/useful_resources) - [About](https://solidarityemploymentadvocacy.com#about) - [Contact](https://solidarityemploymentadvocacy.com/contact) --- © 2025 Solidarity Employment Advocacy Limited. All rights reserved. Legal Disclaimer: Solidarity Employment Advocacy is an employment advocacy company, not a law firm. We do not provide legal advice or perform work reserved for lawyers under the Lawyers and Conveyancers Act 2006. Our services operate under s236 of the Employment Relations Act 2000. For more information click **[here](https://solidarityemploymentadvocacy.com/disclaimer)**.