What is a personal grievance?
A personal grievance (PG) is a claim under the Employment Relations Act 2000 that your employer has treated you unfairly. The most common types are:
- Unjustified dismissal: you were fired without a good reason or a fair process. More on unfair dismissal.
- Unjustified disadvantage: something your employer did, while you were still employed, left you worse off, such as a demotion, cut hours, an unfair warning or a suspension.
- Discrimination, for example because of your age, sex, ethnicity, religion, disability or family status.
- Sexual or racial harassment at work.
- Constructive dismissal: you felt forced to resign. More on constructive dismissal.
The 90-day deadline
You must raise a personal grievance with your employer within 90 days of the action, or of when it came to your attention. Sexual harassment grievances have a longer limit of 12 months. Once the grievance is raised, there is a 3-year limit to take it to the Employment Relations Authority.
Miss the deadline and you need the Authority's permission to go ahead, which is only granted in exceptional circumstances. If your date is getting close, call us today on 09 802 4483.
How we handle your grievance
- Free assessment. We go through what happened, your employment agreement and any letters or messages, and tell you honestly whether you have a claim.
- We raise the grievance. We write to your employer setting out what they did wrong and what you're seeking. From then on they deal with us, not you.
- Negotiation and mediation. Most grievances settle through negotiation or free MBIE mediation. We prepare you and represent you throughout. How mediation works.
- Employment Relations Authority. If it doesn't settle, we can take your claim to the Authority.
What you could recover
Depending on your case, remedies can include lost wages, compensation for humiliation, loss of dignity and injury to feelings, and in some cases getting your job back. Under the 2026 changes, if your own conduct contributed to what happened, some remedies may be reduced or unavailable. We'll be upfront with you about that.
Common questions
Can I raise a personal grievance if I still work there?
Yes. An unjustified disadvantage grievance is designed for people who are still employed. We can also advise you on how to protect your position while the grievance is dealt with.
What if more than 90 days have passed?
The Employment Relations Authority can allow a late grievance in exceptional circumstances, and for sexual harassment the limit is 12 months. Call us to check your dates. The sooner, the better.
How much does it cost?
Your first consultation is free. Up to and including mediation we work on a no win, no fee basis: if there's no financial settlement, you pay nothing. If we win, our fee is 33.33% + GST of the settlement.
Other ways we can help
This page is general information about New Zealand employment law, not legal advice for your situation. Call us for a free assessment.