Dismissed.
Disciplined.
Pushed Out?
At McKenzie Law we fight bad employers and represent employees across New Zealand in personal grievances, unjustified dismissal, and every employment issue that impacts your livelihood.
30+
Years' Experience
100%
Employee Side Only
Direct
Access to Expert
Fast
Response & Action
- We Act Fast
- Direct Access To Your Advocate
- Tangible Results
- 30+ Years of Employment Law
— YOUR RIGHTS MATTER
Your employer has expensive lawyers. Who's in your corner?
As an employee, you have strong legal rights. Get an accurate, no-nonsense assessment of your situation quickly — before your employer’s next move puts you at a disadvantage.
— YOUR RIGHTS MATTER
Your employer has expensive lawyers. Who's in your corner?
As an employee, you have strong legal rights. Get an accurate, no-nonsense assessment of your situation quickly — before your employer’s next move puts you at a disadvantage.
— WHAT WE HANDLE
We take on the toughest issues for employees across NZ.
Personal Grievances
Unjustified actions, disadvantage, and breaches of your employment agreement or good faith obligations.
Unjustified Dismissal
Fired without proper cause or a fair process? We challenge dismissals and fight for compensation and reinstatement.
Disciplinary Meetings
We prepare you for disciplinary meetings and attend as your representative — you don't face this alone.
Redundancy & Restructuring
Unfair, rushed, or predetermined restructures don't meet the legal bar. We challenge them.
Performance Improvement Plans
PIPs used as a tool to push you out are unlawful. We identify them and fight back on your behalf.
Workplace Bullying
Toxic behaviour, pressure, or intimidation in the workplace — we document, challenge, and stop it.
Unpaid Wages & Final Pay
Holiday pay, bonuses, commissions, and final pay owed to you. We recover what's rightfully yours.
Forced Resignation
Resignations caused by intolerable employer pressure may be treated as constructive dismissal in NZ law.
Discrimination
Based on race, sex, sexual orientation, age, and other protected grounds under NZ human rights law.
ERA & MBIE Mediation
Expert representation through formal dispute resolution processes, mediation, and Employment Relations Authority hearings.
— WHAT WE HANDLE
Employers weaponise disciplinary processes. We stop that.
Don’t walk into that meeting alone. We provide expert representation, challenge unfair allegations, and ensure your employer follows a lawful and fair process.
- Disciplinary meeting representation
- Support person representation
- Challenge unfair allegations or evidence
- Ensure your employer follows fair process
- Preparation and strategy before the meeting
Clients consistently praise our speed, clarity, and ability to shut down unfair employer behaviour before it escalates.
— McKenzie Law Clients
Don't let your employer take advantage of you. Fight back.
If you’ve been dismissed, given a disciplinary letter, received a redundancy proposal, put on a PIP, suspended, or pressured to resign — get advice before you respond.
— WHAT WE HANDLE
Guides For Employees
What To Do If You're Called To a Disciplinary Meeting
Step-by-step guide to protecting yourself from the moment you receive that letter.
How Redundancy Must Be Done Lawfully in New Zealand
The exact process your employer must follow — and what to do when they don’t.
Signs Your PIP Is a Setup — Not a Support Plan
Recognise the difference between genuine performance management and a managed exit.
What Counts As Workplace Bullying in New Zealand
The legal definition, what evidence matters, and your options under NZ employment law.
How Mediation Works in Employment Disputes
What to expect at MBIE mediation and how having representation changes outcomes.
Browse All Employee Guides & Articles
Explore our full library of NZ Employment law resources and practical guides.
— COMMON QUESTIONS
Frequently Asked Questions
- How much does it cost?
We offer a flat-fee engagement starting at $2,500 + GST for disciplinary representation. This covers preparation, attendance, and follow-up advice for your meeting. Complex matters such as ERA proceedings are quoted separately. - What if I have already been dismissed?
Time limits applies here so act quickly. You generally have 90 days from dismissal to raise a personal grievance. Contact us immediately to assess whether you still have options. - What if my meeting is tomorrow?
Call us now. We handle urgent situations and can often request for a deferment to prepare and attend on at a later date. Don’t go in alone, contact us immediately. - What documents do you need?
Your employment agreement, the disciplinary or dismissal letter, any PIP or performance documents, and a brief timeline of events. - Can you help if I resigned under pressure?
Yes. A resignation caused by intolerable employer conduct can be treated as constructive dismissal under NZ law. However meeting the test for constructive dismissal is difficult, therefore consult with us first. - Can you help with unpaid wages or final pay?
Absolutely. Holiday pay, commissions, bonuses, and final pay is a statutory obligation. That means your employer is legally barred from withholding these basic entitlements. - What happens at mediation?
MBIE Mediations are informal discussions aimed at resolving employment disputes. Having proper representation significantly increases your chances of a favourable outcome. - What do I do if I’m being managed out?
Seek advice before things escalate. As an employee, you are owed a fair process and being dealt with good faith.. Being managed out is a legal and unfair process and breach of the employee duty to act in good faith. Managed exits via PIPs or constant criticism, or other micro work aggressions can give rise to personal grievances if handled unlawfully.
— GET STARTED
Tell us what's happening.
Complete the form and we’ll assess your situation quickly. Every detail helps us understand where you stand and whether we can help.
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