WE’RE HERE TO SUPPORT RURAL EMPLOYERS
Running any kind of farming operation brings with it unique challenges, especially when it comes to employing staff. Having workers living on farm, being family members, or even the physical nature of the job can all complicate the working environment. Having good employment law practices is more important than ever in this setting, but is often overlooked. We understand that as a farm owner or manager, you need efficient, practical solutions to staffing issues when they arise. Our experienced employment law team regularly support farming and rural clients and are well placed to set you up for success.
Help! A personal grievance…
A personal grievance can feel like a kick in the teeth when you’ve invested a lot of time and energy into a staff member, and it can hit you in the pocket too if not managed correctly. We help our farming clients respond to personal grievances, including strategic advice on what (or not) to say, drafting letters and running meetings with the employee, attending mediation, and appearing in the Employment Relations Authority when necessary.
Download our Employer Guide to Personal Grievances
I’m hiring…
Getting the onboarding process right when bringing a new person onto your farm is a crucial first step in managing your employment relationship. Unfortunately, there’s a bit more to it than just inserting a name into the “big green book.” We help agri-employers reduce their risk while maximising their flexibility when hiring new staff, including advice about the right type of employment agreement, 90-day trial periods, probationary periods, visa requirements, and offer letters.
Download our Employment Guide to Employment Agreements
I have an employee issue…
Employers and workers are both only human, and inevitably, there will be times when an employee is not meeting the standard expected, or outright makes some poor decisions which impact on your farm. We help you to manage employee issues including strategy, preparation for investigation meetings, preparing appropriate letters to employees, advice on timeframes and developing performance improvement plans.
Download our Employer Guide to Handling Employee Misconduct
I have workers living on my farm….
If you have workers living in one of your farm houses or workers’ accommodation, you will need a service tenancy agreement or clauses(s) in your employment agreements. Often these arrangements are done “on a handshake” and this can cause difficulties down the track. We can assist you to evict ex-workers who won’t leave where there is no written tenancy agreement, and better still, can help you set up service tenancy arrangements properly to avoid problems in the first place.
Download Farmers’ Guide to Service Tenancies
I need to fire someone…
When you’re in a hands-on business, you need everyone in the team to be on the same wave length. Sometimes it’s clear an employment relationship is not working out. Often employers have decided the outcome they want (to exit an employee) but need help to get there in a compliant way. We work with you to determine the best route and appropriate fair process to exit an employee, with urgency if the situation demands it. This includes advising on performance management, suspension and warnings, and termination of employment.
Download our Employer Guide to Terminating Employment
I think there’s drug use going on…
Unfortunately drug and alcohol abuse can be more of an issue in isolated rural environments. If you suspect an employee is using drugs in your tenancy, or drug/alcohol use is impacting on their work, we can help you to manage the situation. We can assist from helping you put a robust drug and alcohol policy in place, through to advice on the right process to follow when dealing with suspected drug use and possible employment sanctions.
Download Farmer’s Guide to Drug and Alcohol Testing
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