Proposed changes to personal grievance regime Early this year the government announced proposals to change the personal grievance (PG) regime with amendments to the Employment Relations Act 2000. Amongst a raft of proposals, an employee with an annual income of more than $180,000 of base pay may not be able to raise an unjustified dismissal claim. The government wants to shift the focus to an employer’s actions (rather than employee behaviour) in determining remedies – potentially reducing (or removing) payouts for serious misconduct or for contributing to the issue. The government believes that these proposals will restore balance to the PG regime by better weighing an employee’s conduct against the employer’s actions. The view is that the current system too often rewards poor employee behaviour and punishes an employer who often, despite best efforts, has made a minor procedural error. These are significant changes to the PG regime, affecting both employers and employees. We will keep you up-to-date with how these proposed changes develop. + Hazardous substances: upcoming changes to reporting requirements If you import or manufacture certain hazardous substances you need to be aware of new annual reporting requirements from the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA). The substances include agrichemicals, timber treatment chemicals, antisapstain chemicals, antifouling paints and parasiticides used as veterinary medicines for large animals. Businesses should now be keeping records of which hazardous substances they are importing or manufacturing before submitting their annual report in 2026. The requirements will help the EPA better understand and manage hazardous substances in New Zealand. More details, as well as guidance for recording annual information, are on the EPA’s website (www.epa.govt.nz) and search for Hazardous substances. + Postscript Fineprint is printed on Advance Laser Offset, a paper produced using farmed eucalyptus trees and pulp from Well Managed Forests – manufactured in an ISO14001 and ISO9001 accredited mill. DISCLAIMER: All the information published in Fineprint is true and accurate to the best of the authors’ knowledge. It should not be a substitute for legal advice. No liability is assumed by the authors or publisher for losses suffered by any person or organisation relying directly or indirectly on this newsletter. Views expressed are the views of the authors individually and do not necessarily reflect the view of this firm. Articles appearing in Fineprint may be reproduced with prior approval from the editor and credit being given to the source. Copyright © NZ LAW Limited, 2025. Editor: Adrienne Olsen. E: adrienne@adroite.co.nz. M: 029 286 3650. 6 ISSN 1174-2658 (Print) ISSN 2744-3973 (Online) DIRECTOR Pat Stuart SOLICITORS Emily Silby Ashleigh Gamble REGISTERED LEGAL EXECUTIVES Nicole Parnell Cathy Stuart Kellie Wharerau LEGAL ASSISTANT Abby Moulder LAW CLERK Madisyn Carter RECEPTIONIST Piper Garnett OFFICE MANAGER Dianne Murray First Floor Advocate House 2 Cameron Road PO Box 13033 Tauranga, 3141 NZ Phone: (07) 577 6565 Email: reception@advocatelegal.co.nz www.advocatelegal.co.nz
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