For many New Zealand business owners, figuring out whether a worker is a casual employee, contractor, or permanent employee isn’t always straightforward. NZ law looks closely at the real nature of the working relationship, and not just what the contract says, so getting it wrong can expose businesses to personal grievance claims, back‑pay liabilities, penalties from MBIE, and costly disputes.

Recent guidance, and proposed amendments to the Employment Relations Act have sharpened the rules around casual work, contractor vs employee tests, and the importance of properly documenting employment relationships. That makes it more important than ever for employers to correctly classify workers and understand their obligations.

Join us for a fast‑paced, practical webinar designed specifically for small business owners and managers.

In just 60 minutes:

• Clear Up the Confusion: Understand the differences between permanent, casual, fixed‑term, and contractor arrangements, and how NZ law determines status based on actual work patterns, not just the written agreement
• Stay Ahead of Key Changes: Get up to speed on the latest worker‑classification updates, from key legal tests to new contractor criteria and increased scrutiny on casual misclassification
• Entitlements 101: Learn what each worker type is legally entitled to from leave and wages to termination rules (and what happens if you get it wrong)

Whether you're hiring your first employee or managing a growing team, you’ll learn how to correctly classify workers, understand their entitlements, and avoid common traps like sham contracting.

Don’t miss your chance to ask your questions during the live Q&A, so you can come away with tailored guidance for your business.

Please note that this is general information and not intended to replace legal advice under any circumstances.

Have a question?

Have a question about the webinar, or perhaps you need some guidance on a HR or workplace safety matter? We’re happy to answer all your questions, call 0800 675 701 or email [email protected].