Questions for lawyers Found 20

My employer has moved my shifts to start earlier and finish later, making it impossible to organise childcare. I asked to keep my old hours, and the response was that I should just adapt. Do I have any right to ask for flexibility?

A close family member died, and I asked for time off for the funeral and to help my family. My manager said the workplace is too busy and that I can take a couple of days unpaid. Am I entitled to any leave?

When I resigned, my employer took several hundred dollars out of my final pay for a laptop they said I had damaged and for training costs. I never agreed to that in writing. Are these deductions lawful?

I have just told my employer that I am pregnant and expecting to take parental leave. Since then my manager has been cold, changed my duties and hinted that the company cannot manage with someone on leave. Am I protected, and what are my rights?

I started a new job on a 90-day trial period and, after a few weeks, was told that it was not working out and I am let go. There was no warning and no reason given. Can I do anything about it? I have never dealt with anything like this before and would like to understand my options clearly.

I want to move to a competitor, but my contract has a clause preventing me from working in the same industry for twelve months anywhere in the country. Is such a clause enforceable, and what should I do before I move?

I hurt my back lifting stock without proper equipment or training, and I am off work. Someone told me I can sue my employer for negligence, while others say I should just go to ACC. What is the legal position?

A manager has made repeated unwelcome comments and suggestive remarks that make me uncomfortable, and I am afraid to complain because he controls my roster. Do I have any protection and what steps can I take?

I have been unwell and my manager has told me to use annual leave instead of sick leave, and warned that I might be dismissed if I take too many days off. How does sick leave work, and what protections do employees have?

A senior colleague constantly belittles me in front of the team, sets impossible deadlines and has made comments that leave me anxious about work. I have complained to HR, but nothing has happened. What can I do?