Everyone
Labour Inspectorate complaints
You can complain to the Labour Inspectorate if you see or suspect a breach of employment standards.
The role of the Labour Inspectorate
The Labour Inspectorate seeks to ensure employment standards are complied with, so that:
- all employees have their minimum
employment rights respected, andThe requirements in law for how employers must treat, pay and protect their employees. All employees have these rights even if they’re not included in the employment agreement or if the agreement says they get less or worse.
- all employers operate in fair marketplaces, free from non-compliant businesses that may have an unfair advantage.
It does this by identifying and investigating breaches, taking enforcement action where necessary, and providing ‘ A free, phone-based service provided by Employment New Zealand, which works with employees and employers to help them resolve a problem quickly and informally before it gets more difficult to sort out. A warranted employee of MBIE who ensures employment standards are met in the workplace. They can take enforcement action for non-compliance with employment standards.
The Labour Inspectorate also works with industry and sector leadership and other key parties to strengthen the systems that underpin employment standards compliance.
Employment law
Labour Inspectors and Labour Standards Officers are tasked with making sure workplaces meet the A set of employment rights that have been separated out for enforcement purposes, for example, having an employment agreement, and rights around rests and breaks. If an employer does not comply with employment standards, they could face enforcement action, for example, penalties.
Employment Relations Act 2000 - New Zealand Legislation(external link)
Equal Pay Act 1972 - New Zealand Legislation(external link)
Holidays Act 2003 - New Zealand Legislation(external link)
Minimum Wage Act 1983 - New Zealand Legislation(external link)
Parental Leave and Employment Protection Act 1987 - New Zealand Legislation(external link)
Volunteers Employment Protection Act 1973 - New Zealand Legislation(external link)
Wages Protection Act 1983 - New Zealand Legislation(external link)
Typically, this means monitoring and enforcing compliance with requirements relating to:
minimum wage The lowest amount an employee can be paid per hour. There are 3 types of minimum wage: adult, starting-out and training. There is no minimum wage for employees younger than 16 years old.
- holiday pay
- leave entitlement
- wage deduction, and
- record-keeping.
Labour Inspectors and Labour Standards Officers do not give advice about general disputes, The way in which employers, employees, and sometimes unions, relate and behave towards each other. An employment relationship starts when an employee accepts an offer of employment. A written document setting out the terms and conditions of employment agreed by the employer and employee (also known as a ‘contract of service’). It can include other contractual documents and agreements made by the employer and employee. Every employee must have a written employment agreement.