I am being bullied or harassed at work. Who can help me?
Employment New Zealand can help. Call 0800 20 90 20 for free advice. If you do not feel comfortable talking to your employer first, you can apply for free MBIE mediation directly. For discrimination, sexual harassment or racial harassment, you can also use the free dispute resolution service of the Human Rights Commission. A sexual harassment grievance must be raised within 12 months.
Official figures
- Time limit for a personal grievance
- Within 90 days of the problem happening or of you finding out about it (whichever is later), raised with your employer. If you were dismissed, the 90 days start from the end of your employment.1
- Time limit for a sexual harassment grievance
- Within 12 months of it happening or of you finding out about it (whichever is later)1
- Time limit to take a grievance to the ERA
- Within 3 years of first raising the personal grievance with your employer1
- Asking for written reasons after dismissal
- You can ask within 60 days of finding out you were dismissed. Your employer must give the reasons in writing within 14 days.1
- High-income employees
- Different rules apply to unfair dismissal grievances for employees earning NZ$200,000 or more a year1
Official sources
- Personal grievancesEmployment New Zealand (MBIE) · employment.govt.nz
- MediationEmployment New Zealand (MBIE) · employment.govt.nz
- FeesEmployment Relations Authority · era.govt.nz
- Labour Inspectorate complaintsEmployment New Zealand (MBIE) · employment.govt.nz
Read the full guide: Work disputes and unpaid wages →
People also ask
- My employer has not paid my salary. Who can I complain to?
- I was fired without a reason. How do I complain, and is there a time limit?
- What is a personal grievance, and how do I write one?
- Does MBIE mediation cost money? Do I need a lawyer?
- How much does it cost to take my employer to the ERA?
- I am on a work visa and my employer asked me to pay money for the job. Can I report this? Will it affect my visa?
Answers are based on official New Zealand government pages. Check the official source before you act. This is not immigration, legal or tax advice.
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