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Labour inspectors

Overview

Who are labour inspectors and how can they help?

Labour inspectors work for the Ministry of Business, Innovation & Employment (MBIE). They can be contacted through the MBIE contact centre on 0800 20 90 20.

Labour inspectors can investigate breaches of laws relating to minimum employment conditions and protections, such as:

  • equal pay
  • holiday pay
  • the minimum wage
  • parental leave
  • wage deductions, and
  • “in between travel” payments for home and community support workers.

What powers do labour inspectors have?

Employment Relations Act 2000, ss 223, 229

Labour inspectors have wide powers to enter workplaces at reasonable times, to interview employees and employers about compliance with employment standards and to inspect and copy any wage and time records. An employer must make these available straight away.

Employment Relations Act 2000, s 229A

A labour inspector can also investigate to find out if any place is a workplace and if someone is an employee (as opposed to a contractor or volunteer). They have the same powers to enter and interview and inspect records as above.

A labour inspector can’t give you advice about employment disputes or pay rates (except about minimum wage rates).

What actions can a labour inspector take against an employer?

Employment Relations Act 2000, ss 223B, 224, 229, 235A

Actions a labour inspector can take include:

  • securing an “enforceable undertaking” from an employer – this is an agreement in writing that the employer will pay the money owed or otherwise fix the breach by a set date
  • issuing improvement notices (which states the failure and the steps your employer needs to take to fix it)
  • issuing infringement notices for breaches of record keeping, with fines (like a speeding ticket)
  • issuing a “demand notice” for minimum wage or holiday pay claims if the inspector is satisfied that the money is owed and that the employer is unwilling to pay
  • taking action for breaches of minimum standards – this can include taking action against company directors who were knowingly and intentionally involved in the breach
  • applying to the Employment Relations Authority for penalties for breaches of employment standards
  • applying to the Employment Court for a declaration of breach if there’s been a serious breach of minimum entitlements. If this declaration is granted, the inspector can apply for:
    • a penalty of up to $50,000 for individuals, or for companies either $100,000 or three times the financial gain made by the company as a result of the breach, whichever is more
    • a compensation order for lost wages
    • a banning order stopping a person from being an employer or hiring employees.

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Resolving employment problems

Where to go for more support

Community Law

www.communitylaw. org.nz

Your local Community Law Centre can provide free initial legal advice if you’re facing problems at work.

Ministry of Business, Innovation & Employment

www.employment.govt.nz

The Employment Relations website of the Ministry of Business, Innovation & Employment has a range of information on personal grievances, mediation, the Employment Relations Authority and the Employment Court. This includes a pamphlet contained information on all those topics, called “Solving Problems at Work”.

Free phone 0800 20 90 20, for general enquiries about resolving employment problems.

Early Resolution Service

www.employment.govt.nz/resolving-problems/steps-to-resolve/early-resolution

The Early Resolution Service is a service offered by the Ministry of Business, Innovation & Employment. It is a free phone-based service to help employees and employers resolve workplace issues before it becomes too serious or needs a more formal process.

For more information on the Early Resolution Service, you can fill out the form on www.employment.govt.nz or call 0800 20 90 20.

Labour inspectors

Labour inspectors monitor and enforce minimum employment conditions. To refer a problem to a labour inspector, you contact the Ministry of Business, Innovation & Employment on: Free phone 0800 20 90 20

Employment Relations Authority

www.era.govt.nz

If you’re unable to settle at mediation, the next step is to file your claim in the Employment Relations Authority. For more information, visit the Authority’s website.

New Zealand Council of Trade Unions, Te Kauae Kaimahi

www.union.org.nz

Phone: (04) 385 1334
Email: info@nzctu.org.nz

Union members should contact their union for support in resolving problems at work.

Immigration New Zealand

www.immigration.govt.nz

Free phone: 0508 558 855
Phone: (09) 914 4100 (Auckland)
Phone: (04) 910 9915 (Wellington)

The Immigration New Zealand website has extensive information about the various types of visas and other immigration issues. There is also specific information on human trafficking and the help that’s available for people trapped in these situations.

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