No Personal Grievances for High Earners?

A Private Members Bill, ‘The Employment Relations (Allowing Higher Earners to Contract Out of Personal Grievance Provisions) Amendment Bill’, had its second reading in parliament yesterday, although this was interrupted by a number of speeches.

This Bill amends the Employment Relations Act 2000 to allow employees with an annual gross salary over $150,000 to contract out of the personal grievance provisions. It covers all personal grievances including those relating to dismissal, disadvantage, discrimination, harassment and compliance with minimum legal obligations.

In its current form however, the bill does not prevent a claim to be raised through other jurisdictions such as the Privacy Commission or Human Rights. Concerns have also been raised that the salary threshold is too low and would encompass many in middle management and technical experts.

The Bill was introduced by National in the last term, and it seems unlikely to get support from the Labour led government. Watch this space.