Under the current health and safety legislation, the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015, almost everyone in a workplace or organisation has some degree of responsibility for health and safety, so it’s important to understand your obligations. When the first phase of the Act came into effect in 2016, it changed the … [Read more...]
6 questions to ask before signing a commercial lease
As a commercial tenant, entering into a new lease can be an exciting yet nerve-wracking experience. The terms of the lease agreement can have a considerable effect on the success of your business, so it’s crucial to understand each element of the agreement and negotiate the lease to suit your needs before signing on the … [Read more...]
How to protect your brand by registering your trade marks
More often than not, a great deal of a business’s value is tied up in what is known as ‘goodwill’. Goodwill is similar to ‘reputation’ and often a business’s branding and name are central to the good reputation of that business. A business is usually represented by a name, logo or combination of both, known as its ‘brand’. … [Read more...]
Quick guide: personal grievances
A personal grievance is, in essence, a claim brought against an employee’s current or former employer for unfair or unreasonable treatment. How does the personal grievance process work? Ideally, a personal grievance should be raised in writing so that there is a record of it. This means there can be no dispute about the … [Read more...]
Privacy law changes – is your business affected?
The GDPR comes into effect on May 25, 2018. But what does it mean for New Zealand businesses and how should you prepare? What is the GDPR? The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) is a European Union privacy law that was passed by the European Commission in April 2016. When it comes into effect later this week, it … [Read more...]
Are you worried about the employment law changes?
If you are an employer, you will be aware that the new government has announced major reforms to employment laws, including the significant rollback of laws brought in under the previous government. One of the most significant changes is the removal of the right to use trial periods for businesses with 20 or more … [Read more...]
Do you need a Shareholders’ Agreement?
Whether you’re going into business with a friend or investing in an existing business, it’s vital for any company with multiple shareholders to have a Shareholders’ Agreement in place. A Shareholders’ Agreement is the best way to protect yourself and your business in the event of any disputes between shareholders and other … [Read more...]