My employer in Auckland is changing my hours and reducing my pay without agreement. Can they do this and what are my options?

General information from Lawmateanz

In New Zealand, the terms of your employment agreement, including your hours and pay, generally can't be changed without your agreement. An employer who wants changes should consult you in good faith and get your agreement in writing.

There are limited exceptions. For example, some agreements allow changes in set circumstances, and genuine restructures follow their own consultation process. Even then, your employer must act fairly and in good faith.

If changes are imposed without agreement, options include raising the issue in writing, asking for free mediation through the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment, or raising a personal grievance for unjustified disadvantage. A personal grievance generally needs to be raised within 90 days of when the problem happened or came to your attention. Unpaid wages can also be recovered.

Keep copies of your employment agreement, payslips, rosters and any messages about the changes.

Employment New Zealand (0800 20 90 20) has free information, and your union or a Community Law Centre can also help.

Written by Lawmateanz, not by a lawyer. General information only, not legal advice about your situation. For advice about your own matter, talk to a lawyer.

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General information only. Answers are written by independent lawyers based only on what's in the question. They aren't legal advice about your situation and don't create a lawyer–client relationship. For advice about your own matter, talk to a lawyer directly.