Wellington Based • Serving New Zealand Wide
At Webster Employment Relations, we provide clear, practical, and respectful support for workers and employers navigating employment challenges. With more than 30 years of on-the-ground experience in bargaining, mediation, grievances, restructures, and health and safety, we work to uphold the mana of everyone involved while guiding you toward fair, balanced outcomes.
Below is a detailed overview of our core services.
Company Restructuring Support
We provide expert guidance to ensure the entire process is lawful, transparent, and fair, helping all parties understand their rights and obligations.
We can assist with:
• Reviewing restructure proposals for fairness and compliance
• Supporting employees to understand consultation documents
• Helping prepare written feedback or alternative proposals
• Advising employers on legal process and communication
• Ensuring decisions are justifiable and well-documented
• Supporting affected employees through redeployment, redundancy, or next steps
Our experience in major national restructures ensures you receive informed, practical support.
Employment Agreements & Bargaining
With extensive experience in national collective bargaining, union engagement, and agreement drafting, we help ensure your documentation is fair, lawful, and practical.
We assist with:
• Drafting and reviewing Individual Employment Agreements (IEAs)
• Negotiating Collective Employment Agreements
(CEAs)
• Advising on terms, clauses, and compliance
• Preparing for bargaining (strategy, goals, communication)
• Supporting negotiations between employers and unions
• Industry-level agreements and multi-employer arrangements
Our approach is calm, structured, and focused on sustainable outcomes for both workers and employers.
Personal Grievances
With decades of experience representing workers across Aotearoa, we offer strategic support that protects your rights while maintaining dignity and mana.
We assist with grievances relating to:
• Unjustifiable dismissal
• Unjustifiable action causing disadvantage
• Discrimination (age, gender, disability, religion, etc.)
• Sexual or racial harassment
• Bullying or harmful behaviour
• Union-related duress
• Failure to provide a safe workplace
Each case is handled with care, confidentiality, and professionalism.
Employment Relations Authority (ERA) Support
If a workplace issue escalates beyond mediation, the ERA may become involved.
We provide full support to help you prepare, respond, and navigate the Authority process with confidence.
We can assist with:
• Preparing applications or statements of problem
• Reviewing employer or employee responses
• Compiling documents and evidence
• Clear explanations of the process and next steps
• Settlement discussions prior to hearings
• Representation during hearings
Our goal is to help you achieve a fair, practical outcome while reducing stress and uncertainty.
Disciplinary Matters
A disciplinary process must always be fair, reasonable, and based on clear information. We support both employers and employees to navigate these situations with clarity and confidence.
We help with:
• Misconduct and serious misconduct cases
• Performance concerns and improvement plans
• Preparing or responding to disciplinary letters
• Attending meetings for support or representation
• Ensuring natural justice and procedural fairness
• Developing clear, lawful workplace processes
Our focus is on keeping the process balanced, respectful, and compliant with New Zealand employment law.
Mediation & Workplace Resolution
Workplace conflict can be damaging when left unresolved.
We provide in-house mediation, formal mediation preparation, and guided resolution processes designed to restore clarity, trust, and dignity.
We help with:
• Conflict between staff or between staff and management
• Restoring communication after breakdowns
• Mediation preparation (documents, statements, strategy)
• Attending mediation for support or representation
• Facilitating informal resolution meetings
• Culturally respectful, mana-enhancing approaches
A calm, structured mediation process often leads to better long-term outcomes than escalation.
Tikanga-Aligned Approaches
For clients wishing to incorporate cultural values,
We offer:
• Tikanga-informed bargaining support
• Tikanga-aligned grievance processes
• Marae-based mediation frameworks
• Kaupapa-driven communication and conflict resolution
These services are delivered authentically, respectfully, and only when chosen or appropriate.
Health & Safety Support
With experience as a Health and Safety Representative Trainer and Educator,
We also assist with:
• Understanding HSWA obligations
• Improving workplace safety systems
• Supporting workers experiencing unsafe environments
• Advising employers on compliance and best practice
Safe workplaces are essential for wellbeing and productivity.
Need support with an employment matter?
If you need guidance with any employment issue — big or small — we’re here to help you move forward with clarity, dignity, and confidence.
Get in touch today for a confidential consultation.