Human resources management has a significant impact on a business' success and reputation. Bell Gully's employment law team works with our clients to manage effectively all employment law, industrial relations, occupational health and safety, disciplinary and restructuring / redundancy issues. We have a strong appreciation of the needs of employers and we aim to find commercial and innovative solutions to their often complex employment and industrial issues. Find out more

 

News, Events & Publications

Wednesday 25 January 2012

Employer justified in refusing to indemnify employee

The Court of Appeal has recently confirmed that the duty of indemnification does not apply in a situation where the employee's conduct fell outside the reasonable performance of her duties ( Katz v Mana Coach Services ). Read on

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Article posted by Rob Towner, Partner and Nikki Donnelly, Solicitor | Related topics: Employment

Wednesday 7 December 2011

Collective bargaining – Court of Appeal disallows BPA provision requiring mediation before strike action

Last week, the Court of Appeal held that union members in collective bargaining could strike without first attempting to settle new terms in mediation, notwithstanding a provision of the parties' bargaining process agreement (BPA) requiring mediation before industrial action ( NZ Professional Firefighters Union v NZ Fire Service Commission ). Read on

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Article posted by Rachael Brown, Senior Associate and Rob Towner, Partner | Related topics: Employment

Tuesday 6 December 2011

Bell Gully partner authors employment chapter in international guide

Leading employment law partner Rob Towner has authored the New Zealand chapter in a recently published international guide. Read on

Related topics: Employment

Thursday 24 November 2011

Employer acted reasonably in refusing union access

New provisions in section 20A of the Employment Relations Act 2000 ( the Act ) requiring a union to request and obtain consent before entering a workplace, have received support from employers but widespread union contempt. Read on

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Article posted by Rob Towner, Partner | Related topics: Employment

Friday 11 November 2011

Preventing illegal internet downloads – an employer's guide

Last week, Telecom, Orcon, TelstraClear and Vodafone each confirmed receipt of multiple detection notices relating to the illegal downloading of music. Orcon and TelstraClear have received further notices this week. Read on

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Article posted by Rob Towner, Partner | Related topics: Employment

Wednesday 2 November 2011

Qantas industrial action grounded

The announcement by Qantas on Saturday of immediate plans to lock out striking employees and ground its fleet worldwide attracted much media attention. Read on

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Article posted by Rob Towner, Partner | Related topics: Employment

Thursday 29 September 2011

Authority applies "could" justification test to dismissal

This month, the Employment Relations Authority considered for the first time justification for a dismissal under the new test in section 103A of the Employment Relations Act 2000 ( Sigglekow v Waikato District Health Board ). Read on

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Article posted by Liz Coats, Solicitor | Related topics: Employment

Tuesday 20 September 2011

New law for sleepover workers

This month, the Government reached a settlement with IHC and the Service and Food Workers' Union (SFWU) regarding minimum wage payments for disability workers who perform "sleepover" duties. Read on

Article posted by Tim Clarke, Partner | Related topics: Employment

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Rob Towner

Rob Towner

Rob leads the firm's employment law practice.  A litigation partner, he specialises in resolving employment issues and industrial disputes.

PARTNERS

Rob Towner

Tim Clarke

SENIOR ASSOCIATE

Rachael Brown

Recent Work

  • Goodman Fielder New Zealand
    Advised Goodman Fielder New Zealand on a range of ongoing employment issues, including the restructuring of their New Zealand business, as well as advising in relation to employee disputes.
  • Carter Holt Harvey
    Advised Carter Holt Harvey on a wide range of employment issues including restructuring, union issues and employment disputes. We advised on all the employment aspects relating to the proposed sale of its Building Supplies Group and the sale of its forestry business, including its 260,000 hectare forestry estate.
  • PRI Flight Catering
    Advised PRI Flight Catering and appeared as its counsel in the High Court, and for two of its former employees in the Employment Court, in contentious litigation following the transfer of an aircraft catering contract at Auckland International Airport.
  • Yellow Pages Group
    Advised Yellow Pages Group on employment issues in relation to a proposed sale and vendor due diligence. This significant transaction spanned a 16-month period and was the biggest New Zealand restructuring arising as a result of the global financial crisis.