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 Practice
- Gain practical insights into managing sensitive matters using a trauma‑informed approach
- Learn how to better identify trauma impacts, respond appropriately to affected individuals and conduct legal processes in ways that enhance safety, trust and participation, while confidently meeting legal, ethical and professional obligations
Presented by Holly Hedley, Consultant, Dawn Legal
Presenters
Holly Hedley, Consultant, Dawn LegalHolly has more than a decade of experience specialising in health, employment and privacy law. She has particular expertise helping clients in managing employment issues that raise professional and regulatory standards and also regularly advises clients who are responding to privacy complaints and breaches. She has broad experience across the health, disability and education sectors and understands the pressures and nuances of working with staff, students, families, and other key stakeholders. Holly has an LLM from Georgetown law and is the convenor of the National Law Society Health Law Committee.
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.
