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No Win No Fee Employment Advocacy New Zealand. Workplace Matters. Employment Relations.

Employment Advocacy Services

How We Support Employees with Employment Disputes

We are passionate about standing up for employees across New Zealand. Solidarity Employment Advocacy offers dedicated support for workplace disputes, personal grievances, and employment claims.  

We specialise in advocating for your rights against workplace bullying, unlawful discrimination, breach of privacy, unfair disciplinary proceedings, sham redundancies, health and safety failures, unjustified disadvantages, unjustified dismissal and constructive dismissal.

Our no win, no fee approach ensures you get the help you deserve, without the barriers and burdens.

Book a no obligation consultation with an employment expert

Employment Dispute Advice

Dealing with issues at work can be stressful and confusing. 

Facing a toxic workplace, workplace bullying, unfair dismissal or sham redundancy?

We give clear, practical advice on your workplace rights NZ and options under the Employment Relations Act 2000.
For example, our employment advocates explain:
  • What to do if you’re bullied at work or have an abusive boss
  • How to challenge unsafe working conditions, wage theft or migrant exploitation
  • Steps after an unfair warning, unfair investigation or termination meeting
  • Leave entitlements NZ, meal breaks NZ and 90 day trial period NZ rules
  • How to file a bullying complaint, ERA claim or workplace dispute resolution process
Book a no obligation consultation and get preliminary employment dispute advice tailored to your circumstances. Whatever your predicament - our team will help you understand your employment rights and options under New Zealand law and figure out the best steps forward.

Personal Grievance Support

If you have been unfairly dismissed, bullied at work, harassed, or treated unfairly at work, our team will guide you through the personal grievance process under the Employment Relations Act 2000, ensuring your voice is heard and your employment rights are protected.

Raising a timely and adequate personal grievance is a crucial step in protecting your rights under the Employment Relations Act 2000.

We work with you to draft and file your personal grievance outlining all legal and factual issues against your employer on your behalf, ensuring all legal requirements are met and your case is presented strongly.

In all circumstances, we work to put you in the best position possible by ensuring your voice is heard and your workplace rights are upheld.

 

Mediation and Dispute Resolution

Our services include conflict resolution strategies to handle disputes effectively.

Mediation is often the fastest and most cost-effective way to resolve employment disputes. Ministry of Business Innovation and Employment (MBIE) provides free access to mediation services for employment matters on voluntary basis.

Majority of workplace disputes settle at MBIE mediation. Many employers prefer to settle matters at this stage as the confidentiality requirements saves their reputation from harm that accompanies litigation, especially in cases concerning workplace bullying, breach of good faith, unfair actions and procedural failures.

We expertly represent you at mediation, putting forward your perspective on events, explaining the reasons behind the personal grievance, supporting you through negotiations and advising you on the development of matters as we go, with the aim of resolving the dispute in a fair, efficient and amicable manner.

Our goal is to achieve fair, practical solutions that work for you.

Employment Relations Authority and Employment Court Representation

When disputes cannot be resolved through mediation, we escalate to the Employment Relations Authority. Appeal to Employment Court on matters of law and procedure is usually an option that is available if needed. 

From sham contracting and migrant exploitation to unsafe work environments and sham redundancy, we prepare briefs `for submission to the ERA and advocate for appropriate workers rights remedies and compensation under New Zealand law.

We provide strong advocacy and representation, ensuring your case is thoroughly prepared and professionally presented to achieve the best possible outcome.

Matters We Specialise In

At Solidarity Employment Advocacy, we stand beside employees across New Zealand to ensure fairness, dignity, and justice at work. Below are some of the most common workplace issues our advocates can assist with.

Unfair Disadvantage

Where your employer’s actions or decisions unfairly impact your employment conditions, dignity, or wellbeing at work.
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Unfair Dismissal

When your employment is terminated without a fair reason or without your employer following a proper and reasonable process.
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Constructive Dismissal

When you feel forced to resign because your employer’s behaviour or actions made it impossible for you to continue working.

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Workplace Bullying

Direct or indirect persistent and unreasonable behaviour that humiliates, intimidates, or undermines you, creating an unsafe or hostile work environment.

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Health and Safety Failures

When your employer neglects their duty to provide a safe and healthy workplace through acts or omissions, putting your physical or mental wellbeing at risk.
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Discrimination in the Workplace

When you are treated unfairly or disadvantaged at work because of protected characteristics like your age, gender, race, disability, sexual orientation, religion, or other protected characteristics.
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Harassment (including Sexual Harassment)

Unwelcome or offensive behaviour — verbal, physical, or written — that creates a hostile or uncomfortable work environment.

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Retaliation or Victimisation

When an employer punishes you for raising a complaint, supporting a colleague, or exercising your workplace rights.

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Redundancy (including Sham Redundancy)

When your role is ended due to alleged business reasons, but the process or reason may be unfair, misleading, or not genuine.
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Procedural Failures

When your employer fails to follow fair, transparent, and lawful processes during disciplinary, performance, or termination procedures.
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Breaches of Good Faith

When your employer acts in a way that is misleading, deceptive, or fails to communicate honestly and openly as required by law.

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Trial Periods

When an employer uses or enforces a 90-day trial period unfairly or illegally, without proper written agreement, or in a way that denies you your right to a fair process and natural justice.

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Breach of Minimum Protections

When your employer fails to meet basic legal employment standards such as minimum wage, holiday pay, rest breaks, or written employment agreements.
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Pay and Wage Disputes

When you are not paid correctly for hours worked, not paid overtime, or your employer makes unlawful deductions from your wages.
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Leave Entitlement Breaches

When your employer denies or mismanages your sick leave, annual leave, bereavement leave, or parental leave rights.

 

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Misclassification of Employment Status

When you are incorrectly labelled as a contractor instead of an employee to avoid legal obligations like leave, KiwiSaver, or PAYE.

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Unjustified Disciplinary Action

When your employer takes disciplinary steps against you without a valid reason, fair investigation, or by failing to follow a proper and transparent process.
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Workplace Stress & Mental Harm

When poor management or unsafe workloads cause psychological harm or burnout.
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Privacy Breaches

When your confidential employment or personal information is mishandled or shared without consent by the employer or an officer of the employer.

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Exit Negotiation

Process of resolving employment disputes or ending an employment relationship by mutual agreement, rather than through disciplinary action, resignation, or dismissal.

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Migrant Exploitation

When employers take advantage of migrant workers’ visa conditions, limited understanding of employment law, or fear of jeopardising immigration status.
This can include underpayment, excessive hours, unsafe work, retention of passports, or threats of deportation.

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Employment Premiums

When an employer or agent demands or receives money, gifts, or other benefits from a worker as a condition of getting or keeping a job.
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Fixed-Term or Casual Employment Breaches

When employers misuse fixed-term or casual arrangements to avoid providing job security or employment rights.

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Employment Agreement Review and Negotiation

 Before signing or renewing your employment agreement, ensure your rights are protected and the clauses comply with the law. 
Learn more

And More

Whatever your predicament is, contact us. We will review your circumstances and discuss how we can help you.

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How it works

Initial Consultation

Book a no obligation initial consultation for discussion of your situation. Get expert advice and initial assessment to understand your rights and options. Our advocate will advise you on viability of your case, required work for your situation and clear options for possible next steps.

No Obligation/initial consult

What's Included

  • No obligation consultation
  • Preliminary case assessment
  • Guidance on your options and next steps forward
  • Advice on costs and no win no fee eligibility
Book Initial Consultation

Employment Dispute Representation

Depending on the outcome of the initial consultation, our advocate may offer you the opportunity to have Solidarity Employment Advocacy represent you in your employment matters. Following your sign up with us, we will notify your employer of our representative capacity and request your employment file. We will also prepare a comprehensive personal grievance document according to your circumstances and submit it to the employer and request attendance to mediation. We will be by your side at mediation and work towards a resolution for you. If mediation fails, we will prepare a comprehensive statement of problem and file it with the Employment Relations Authority. We will represent you at the Authority. Opportunity to appeal to Employment Court will be available if necessary. Basically, we provide end-to-end support in preparing your case, representing you in mediation, ERA and Emp Court to get you the best outcome.

No Win No Fee/case

What's Included

  • Full case preparation
  • Mediation representation
  • Settlement negotiation support
  • Document drafting and review
  • Representation at ERA or Employment Court
  • Evidence preparation and submission
  • No win, no fee guarantee

Other Employment Support

For situations, where no win no fee is not available, such as reviewing and advising on contracts, negotiating contract, reviewing case and second opinion on a case led by another firm or ongoing disciplinary support, return to work plans and more.

Hourly Charges Apply/case

What's Included

  • Advice and support provided as needed on a case by case basis