Photo: 123rf.com
Concern that rogue employment advocates are causing reputational, financial, and psychological harm to their clients has prompted calls for the regulation of the sector. Employment advocates fulfill a similar role to lawyers during employment disputes, but there are no requirements for qualifications or training; anyone can call themselves an employment advocate.
The sector is not regulated and there is no professional body for the public to complain to if they receive bad advice. This is of concern to employment lawyers and advocates alike, who are seeing cases of employment advocates obtaining poor outcomes for their clients.
Kathryn speaks with Kelly Coley, an employment advocate and president of the Employment Law Institute of New Zealand, a group including lawyers, advocates and consultants. Also on the programme is Paul McBride, a partner at McBride Davenport James and a member of the Law Society's Employment Law Committee.
