New poll reveals 'poor' experiences of employers with employment advocates
Employers in New Zealand have expressed strong support for the regulation of employment advocates amid their "poor" experiences with them, according to a new report.
Three in four businesses polled by law firm Simpson Grierson said they want some form of regulatory framework for employment advocates.
Employment advocates are individuals who offer people assistance in employment disputes, including issues on personal grievances, unfair dismissals, and wage theft.
Advocates, however, are not lawyers who are registered with the New Zealand Law Society, and are not subject to professional regulation, disciplinary oversight, or mandatory competency standards.
"Our survey tells a more complex story: where unregulated advocates are involved, the process becomes more costly, more adversarial, and harder to resolve," the Simpson Grierson report read.
Experiences shared by half of employers polled by the law firm were interpreted as "poor," with common concerns including aggressive and unprofessional conduct and unrealistic settlement expectations.
There was also a widespread perception among employers that advocates were "incentivised" to prolong disputes instead of encouraging early resolution.
"At the moment it's a free for all, Wild West scenario. Anyone can set themselves up as an 'Advocate' with zero qualifications or understanding of the law," one survey respondent said as quoted in the report.
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