Services

We provide our mostly SME members with professional support, advice and learning covering Employment Relations, Human Resources and other areas essential to business

  • Legal Get help with employment issues.
  • AdviceLine Our AdviceLine is open Monday to Friday.
  • Advocacy Representing you on the issues that matter.
  • Health and Safety We offer H&S expertise, courses and solutions from due diligence to wellbeing
  • HR and ER Advice Customised employment relations solutions.
  • Payroll We have partnered with NZPPA to give our members access to expert advice and support around complex payroll issues.
  • Resources We have a number of essential resources designed to help you and your business.
  • Industries Our network of competitive New Zealand manufacturers.
  • Facilities Our locations are perfect for training and conferences.

 

  • What does Legal offer Our lawyers represent employers only. We have a highly efficient and effective service representing you on the full remit of employment issues. Read more
  • What is AdviceLine Our team of well-trained employer advisors have a mixture of legal and business backgrounds, so they understand your issues and can direct you to the right legal requirements and best practice to protect yourself and your company when managing tricky ER issues. Read more
  • What does Advocacy do Based here in New Zealand, this free member-only service helps and supports employers by providing the latest practical employment relations advice. Read more
  • HR and ER consultants Our team of highly experienced HR and ER consultants are here to help you. Read more
  • OHS Consultants Our team of highly experienced OHS consultants are here to help you. Read more
  • ExportNZ Connect with exporters, new markets and experienced operators and help your business grow globally. Read more
  • Manufacturing Is the transformation of your traditional operations and processes using the latest smart technology? Read more
  • Chinese Business Centre The Chinese Busines Centre is a space for our Chinese businesses to co-work and make new connections. Read more
  • Facilities Check out details and maps of the venues we use regularly to host EMA training courses, conferences, workshops and breakfast/lunch seminars. Read more
  • Member Rewards Our Member Rewards Programme offers exclusive member discounts, services and offers from our strategic partners. Read more
  • Payroll We have partnered with NZPPA to give our members access to expert advice and support around complex payroll issues. Read more
  • Collective Bargaining The EMA has a longstanding tradition of representing employers in collective bargaining and union matters. Read more
  • Workplace investigations Workplace investigations can be complicated, time consuming and subject to challenge, we can help ensure your process is beyond reproach. Read more
  • Bulletin Keep members up to date with the latest employment relations news. Employer Bulletin is written by our in-house Employer Advisors. Read more
  • A-Z Guides Our premier A-Z of Employing series of guides. Read more
  • Member Briefings Member Briefings, which are free to attend, are held every four months in over 20 different locations and online. Read more
  • Due diligence Directors have a positive duty to ensure OH&S systems are fit for purpose, in place and working. Read more
  • Hazardous substances (HSNO) Research indicates that only around 10% of businesses are fully compliant with all the HSNO requirements, our expert consultants can help you. Read more
  • OH&S Management Systems Effective management of health and safety must be integrated into other management systems within every level of your business. Read more
  • Mental health/wellbeing Investing in health and wellbeing initiatives for staff can increase engagement and productivity. Read more
  • Managing H&S risk When it comes to risk management, ignorance is not defence in a court of law. Let one of our expert consultants help protect your business and staff. Read more
  • Occupational Health Research indicates that the harm caused by exposure to workplace chemicals is 10 times that caused by accidental injury. Read more
  • Investigations & reporting PCBU’s must ensure you have robust systems of accident recording and reporting. Read more
  • Auditing Auditing provides an opportunity to compare workplace practice with the policy, procedure, and standards established to mitigate harm to workers, contractors and others from the hazards and risks. Read more
  • Mentoring & coaching With skill shortages and border restrictions, keeping good staff has never been so important and training is an essential part of any retention strategy. Read more
  • Discipline The disciplinary process should be understood thoroughly before being undertaken by an employer and the EMA is with you all the way. Read more
  • Restructuring & redundancy We can assist with your workplace diagnostic to help you determine the skills and capabilities you need now, and into the future to optimise your business and culture. Read more
  • Performance management Our expert EMA consultants will work with your business to implement best practice performance management tools and goals to boost bottom line. Read more
  • Personal grievances Managing personal grievances can be a costly, time consuming and stressful exercise. Read more
  • Mediation Mediation is a confidential, structured and informal process where parties who are in conflict or dispute work with an independent person (a mediator) for the purpose of facilitating a resolution. Read more
  • Legal Products We offer members a range of customisable policies and templates from casual employment agreements to social media policies and everything in between. Read more

Legal Products

  • Bonding Agreement (Relocation Costs) This comprehensive agreement template sets out the obligations and rights of parties agreeing to a relocation bond. Learn more
  • Bonding Agreement (Training Costs) This comprehensive agreement template sets out the obligations and rights of parties agreeing to a training bond. Learn more
  • Bullying Harassment and Discrimination Policy A comprehensive workplace policy which addresses matters relevant to bullying, harassment and discrimination in the workplace. Learn more
  • Business Interruption - Disasters, Emergencies, and Pandemic A general workplace policy which provides procedures for dealing with issues relevant to business interruption, including options for managing the effects of related issues on the workplace in terms of employees. Learn more
  • Casual Employment Agreement A causal employment agreement template that is legally compliant and drafted in accordance with best practice. The template contains various contractual provisions that better protect an employer’s interests. It also contains practical comments to assist an employer in structuring the contractual aspects of a casual employment relationship.

    Includes template only, tailoring is available at the solicitor's hourly rate.     Learn more
  • Company Vehicle Policy A comprehensive company vehicle policy which provides various employee obligations relevant to the use of company and private vehicles for work related purposes, e.g. drivers licences, security, infringements, reporting accidents/damage, insurance, etc. Learn more
  • Computer System and Equipment Policy A general workplace policy regarding the use of computer systems and equipment in terms of the performance of work-related duties. Learn more
  • Conflict of Interest Policy A general workplace policy which provides a framework for managing various forms of conflicts of interest in the workplace, e.g. family relationships, intimate relationships, professional relationships, business relationships, actual and perceived conflicts of interest, etc. Learn more
  • Contractor Agreement A comprehensive Contract for Services (i.e. independent contractor agreement). This document sets out the structure for and legal considerations relevant for the engagement of independent contractors (opposed to employees). Learn more
  • COVID-19 Resource Pack: Digital Download The following documents have been prepared for businesses to use as a means to restart operations under COVID 19 Level 3 and beyond Learn more
  • COVID-19 Testing, Vaccination and Travel Policy This is a policy template that addresses how the employer deals with requirements and expectations in respect of employees’ testing for Covid-19, mandatory or recommended vaccination for Covid-19, disclosure of vaccination status, overseas travel, etc. Learn more
  • Credit Card Policy A general workplace policy regarding the use of credit cards and a framework for managing related expenses. Learn more
  • Discipline and Performance Management Policy A comprehensive workplace policy which sets out definitions of Misconduct and Serious Misconduct. Learn more
  • Drug and Alcohol Policy (Option A - Not Included) A comprehensive workplace drug and alcohol policy, which provides a framework for an employer to conduct all of the legally permissible tests for drugs and alcohol testing. Learn more
  • Drug and Alcohol Policy (Option B - Included) A comprehensive workplace drug and alcohol policy, which provides a framework for an employer to conduct all of the legally permissible tests for drugs and alcohol testing. Learn more
  • Employee Leave Management and Absenteeism Policy A comprehensive workplace policy which sets out relevant definitions and also the processes relevant to employee leave and absence in the workplace. Learn more
  • Equal Opportunity and Diversity Policy A general workplace policy which addresses issues relevant to equal opportunity and diversity in the workplace. Learn more
  • Family Violence Policy A comprehensive workplace policy specifically about family violence leave and flexible working related requests. This policy is based on the new legislation and includes referrals to service/support providers, and template forms for corresponding employee related requests. Learn more
  • Fixed-Term Employment Agreement A fixed-term employment agreement template that is legally compliant and drafted in accordance with best practice. The template contains various contractual provisions that better protect an employer’s interests. It also contains practical comments to assist an employer in structuring the contractual aspects of a fixed-term employment relationship.

    Includes template only, tailoring is available at the solicitor's hourly rate.     Learn more
  • Non-Disclosure Agreement (‘NDA’) Non-Disclosure Agreements stipulate confidentiality obligations where one party, e.g. an employer or principal provides individuals ( e.g. employees or contractors) with access to confidential or sensitive business information. This document provides protection to the provider of such information and it ensures that expectations and obligations regarding the purpose and use of such information are clear. Learn more
  • Permanent employment agreement A permanent employment agreement template that is legally compliant and drafted in accordance with best practice. Learn more
  • Practice Kit - Disciplinary Process EMA Legal has developed a Practice Kit on Disciplinary Processes to assist employers who have to navigate this complicated area of employment law so they can reduce their risk of exposure to costly personal grievance claims. Learn more
  • Practice Kit - Medical Incapacity EMA Legal has developed a Practice Kit on Medical Incapacity to assist employers who have to navigate this complicated area of employment law so they can reduce their risk of exposure to costly personal grievance claims. Learn more
  • Practice Kit - Performance Management EMA Legal has developed a Practice Kit on Performance Management to assist employers who have to navigate this complicated area of employment law so they can reduce their risk of exposure to costly personal grievance claims. Learn more
  • Practice Kit - Restructuring and Redundancy The Practice Kit on Restructuring and Redundancy will assist employers who have to navigate this complicated area of employment law so they can reduce their risk of exposure to costly personal grievance claims. Learn more
  • Practice Kit - Variation of Terms of Employment (Covid-19) As we are experiencing a resurgence of Covid-19, businesses may potentially be put in a position again to consider a temporary variation of employees’ terms of employment (particularly in relation to employees’ pay) in response to the renewed impact of Covid-19 and in order to remain afloat - be it in conjunction with a potential further installment of a wage subsidy scheme, or not. Learn more
  • Practice Kit - Workplace Investigations EMA Legal has developed a Practice Kit on Workplace Investigations to assist employers who have to navigate this complicated area of employment law so they can reduce their risk of exposure to costly personal grievance claims. Learn more
  • Pre-employment Documentation Application form/employee questionnaire, letter of offer and candidate pre-employment checklist

    A suite of pre-employment documents that strengthen an employer’s recruitment process. These documents will assist an employer with employing the best-suited people in their business. This, of itself, will reduce the risk avoidable and costly employment disputes which commonly occur as a result of less robust due diligence on applicants for employment.     Learn more
  • Recruitment Policy A general workplace policy which provides a basic framework for managing the hiring of new employees. Learn more
  • Remote Working Agreement Template A comprehensive template document which provides a framework for managing remote working arrangements and making contractual variations (whether temporary or permanent) to an employee's terms and conditions of employment. Learn more
  • Social Media Policy A general workplace policy which address issues relevant to the issue of social media in the workplace/professionally and by employees personally. Learn more
  • Unpaid Work Experience Agreement For the engagement of volunteers or interns.

    This document is essential for documenting a relationship for unpaid work experience, for example, pre-employment trials or internships. It sets out the relevant aspects of unpaid arrangements for specific scenarios which can be a significant area of risk for businesses. This template can reduce the legal and financial risks associated with such arrangements.     Learn more
  • Vaccination Policy New Zealand and the world is in the midst of a COVID-19 pandemic and part of the strategy for managing the virus in New Zealand is a national vaccination programme. The programme aims to vaccinate as many people as possible in an attempt to reach ´herd immunity’ of 80 per cent or more of the population. Learn more
  • Vaping and Smoke-free Workplace Policy A general workplace policy regarding smoking and vape use in accordance with the Smoke-free Environments Act 1990. Learn more
  • Whistleblowing Policy A comprehensive workplace policy regarding reporting serious wrongdoing under the Protected Disclosures Act 2000, which includes a template reporting form. Learn more
  • Working From Home Policy A comprehensive workplace policy which address matters relevant to working from home arrangements, e.g. health and safety, ACC, working location, office related expenses, hours of work, information security, risk management, etc. Learn more
  • Workplace Surveillance Policy A general workplace policy that informs employees and workplace attendees on the use of surveillance and monitoring in the workplace via cameras/CCTV, computer systems and equipment, clocking in and out mechanisms. Learn more
  • Workplace Health and Safety Policy A general workplace health and safety policy which provides a basic framework for managing key considerations/issues under the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015. Learn more
  • Workplace Privacy Policy A general privacy policy, which provides a basic framework for managing personal information in accordance with the Privacy Act 2020. Learn more
  • X3 Employment Agreements Permanent, fixed-term and casual employment agreements, plus free letter of offer. Learn more
  • X8 Workplace Policies and/or Bonding Special package which comprises of any 8 of the template policies and resources referred to above for a heavily discounted price. Learn more
"The team at AdviceLine are extremely helpful whenever we call them." 
"They have excellent up-to-date knowledge of both employment and related law. If they need to confer with senior personnel on a particular point or issue they are able to do so quickly and efficiently. We have been using this service for over ten years now and never had anything but great service."

 Jim Thompson, Hydraulink Fluid Connectors Ltd - HR & Organisational Development Manager. 

In 2019 our AdviceLine managed 29,863 calls,with 93% answered within 15 seconds.

2019 Annual Report

The EMA Network

Through our wider network, the EMA has national representation.