Bullying, and sexual harassment allegations in the workplace are rising. This practical webinar will equip you with the skills and confidence to navigate allegations of bullying and sexual harassment in the workplace. Gain a clear understanding of what constitutes workplace bullying under current law through recent case analysis and develop practical strategies for preventing and responding to sexual harassment allegations. Strengthen your professional judgement, enhance client outcomes and support legally sound, ethical and effective practice. Learn how to apply trauma‑informed practice when handling these sensitive issues.
A must attend for all employment lawyers, in-house counsel and all lawyers with any staff.
Wednesday, 17 June 2026
4.00pm to 4.15pm Break
Chair:
John Farrow, Partner, Anderson Lloyd
Learning Objectives:
- Identify workplace bullying under current law and apply recent case insights to practical advice
- Recognise unlawful sexual harassment and discrimination and apply the legal framework to real‑world scenarios
- Know how to apply trauma‑informed principles when advising on or managing bullying, harassment and discrimination matters
Description
Attend and earn 3 CPD hours
2.00pm to 3.00pm Understanding Bullying: Law and Cases
- Key elements required to establish bullying
- Common behaviours that may constitute bullying (and those that typically do not)
- Review of recent tribunal and court decisions highlighting emerging trends, evidentiary issues and practical lessons
- Implications of recent cases for employers, employees and advisers
Presented by Shaun Brookes, Partner, Buddle Findlay
3.00pm to 4.00pm Navigating Sexual Harassment Allegations in the Workplace
- The legal framework
- Mitigating the likelihood of allegations arising
- Practical ways to address allegations
Presented by Robbie Bryant, Special Counsel, Todd Walker
4.15pm to 5.15pm Trauma Informed Legal Practice: An Introduction
-
Provide an overview of trauma informed practice and approaches
- Discussion on how trauma informed practice is relevant in the law and legal practice generally
- Explore how trauma informed practices might be applied in the workplace and employment law contexts, including in investigations
Presented by Holly Hedley, Consultant, Dawn Legal
Presenters
Holly Hedley, Consultant, Dawn Legal
Holly is an experienced lawyer who has recently moved to sole practice after more than a decade at one of New Zealand's largest firms. Holly’s particular expertise sits at the intersection of health, employment, privacy and human rights. She works in the investigation space in both employment and health contexts and also has significant experience in the Coronial jurisdiction. Holly is currently the recipient of a Borrin Foundation Women Leaders in Law Fellowship, through which she is working on a project exploring trauma informed legal practice for Aoteroa. Holly is the Convenor of the NZLS Health and Disability Law Committe, has a Masters in Global Health Law (Georgetown USA) and is a previous NZLS Ethel Benjamin and Pegasus Scholar.
Shaun Brookes, Partner, Buddle Findlay
Shaun specialises in employment law, industrial relations, and health and safety, as well as dispute resolution and general litigation. He advises clients on a wide range of employment matters, including terminations, bullying, redundancy and restructuring, Holiday Act entitlements, and industrial relations. He regularly provides training and seminars on health and safety, employment, and privacy topics. Shaun also represents a number of councils on regulatory enforcement and prosecutions. He advises clients on health and safety matters and has experience with WorkSafe investigations and prosecutions. He is an experienced litigator and appears in the Employment Relations Authority and Employment Court, the District Court and High Court, and at mediation on behalf of clients.
John Farrow, Partner, Anderson Lloyd
John Farrow is a Partner co-leading Anderson Lloyd's national employment team. He specialises in Employment and Health & Safety law. John's expertise covers the full range of employment matters, including those which involve criminal and civil aspects. He is a LEADR-accredited Mediator, Member of the Institute of Directors and is an 'Association of Workplace Investigators' Certificate-holder. John is named in the 'Best Lawyers in New Zealand' publication, Labour and Employment Law category, and as a 'next generation partner' in the Legal 500.
Robbie Bryant, Special Counsel, Todd & Walker Law
Robbie leads Todd & Walker Law’s employment law team. He advises clients (employers and employees) throughout New Zealand on all contentious and non-contentious employment matters. Robbie has represented clients in all the employment institutions, as well as the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court. Prior to joining Todd & Walker Law, Robbie was an employed barrister specialising in employment law and then worked for a boutique employment law firm – both in Auckland.
