Frequently Asked Questions

‘No win, no fee’ is how we describe charging for Legal work using Contingency Fees. Contingency

Fees are fees that are charged if we are successful in resolving your case and our work has left you in

a better position than before we got involved.

As a ‘No win, no fee’ provider of Employment Law Specialist services we believe in providing you

with access to justice. Most people who have lost their job, or who are managing a Personal

Grievance situation in their workplace, do not have the money to fund a legal case and fight the

situation.

Our Advocates at Work Employment Advocates assess your case against the New Zealand

Employment Law Frameworks. If we assess that your situation has breached your Employment Law

rights we are willing to provide you with Labour Law support and Employment Advocate

Representation for no fee, until the point a resolution or settlement is reached.

You are then able to focus on rebuilding after the difficult workplace situation. You are able to

concentrate on getting back to a steady situation and you leave the distress of your old Personal

Grievance situation with us. The Advocates at Work Employment Advocates take the risks of your

case on because we believe in fighting for fair for you. We keep in touch with you are important

times so that you know how your case is progressing.

You may have heard criticism of ‘No win, no fee’ Employment Advocates and have heard that if you

don’t pay a fee upfront the service you get from an Employment Advocate is inferior. At Advocates

at Work our Employment Advocates Ruth Pettengell, David Dewhurst and Brian Gilkison have over

25 years of experience between us assisting employees with Personal Grievances, in Mediation and

in the Employment Relations Authority. We know the strategies that will help resolve your case.

Take a look at our Client Reviews and call us about your Employment Dispute today.

Everything is transparent and fair!

After our initial free consultation, we provide a clear, tailored contract. We offer a ‘no-win, no-fee’ arrangement for cases likely to end in compensation. This means you pay only when we succeed.

• Exit Settlement: 25% + GST of the settlement sum up to $20,000. No additional fee on amounts of $20,000.

• Mediation: 33% + GST of the settlement sum up to $20,000. No additional fee on amounts of $20,000.

• ERA Hearing: 33% + GST of the settlement sum and $1500.00 admin fee.

• Hourly Rate: $295 + GST (eg. for work that keeps your job)

Expert Guidance & Support

Advocates at Work are incredibly experienced in managing employment issues. We analyse your case, explain your options, and keep you updated throughout the process. Our goal is to get the best outcome for you, reduce stress and making sure you feel empowered and confident as we tackle your situation together.

We understand that workplace crises can be overwhelming. Whether you're facing unfair treatment, wondering about your rights, or unsure of your next steps, we’re here to help. With extensive employment law experience across various workplaces and industries, we provide tailored advice, assist you through the mediation process (and attend it with you), and help you mount a legal defence if needed. If you're asking, "Do I have a case?", we will listen, assess and explain your options clearly.

Reach Out

If you're facing an issue at work and need clear advice, contact us. You can call, email, WhatsApp, or fill out the enquiry form on our website. We work nationwide and will give you regular updates throughout your case.

Discuss & Set a strategy

We analyse your case and set a strategy with you based on your goals. Whether you want to keep your job or address unfair treatment, we work together to put power back in your hands.

Take Action

If you decide to take action your employer must be informed of the issue within 90 calendar days of the event. We can write an email on your behalf or draft a formal Personal Grievance.

Ultimately, our goal is to resolve your case at the lowest level possible, only progressing to a resolution steps if absolutely necessary. However, if we do need to fight for a win for you, here is what to expect:

Without Prejudice Discussions:

We negotiate directly with your employer to resolve the issue without it impacting your employment relationship.

These discussions are confidential and aim to reach a quick settlement.

Mediation:

If negotiations fail, we proceed to mediation, run by the Ministry of Business, Innovation, and Employment. Mediation can be conducted online to reduce stress and the feeling of intimidation if preferred. The appointed mediator is completely neutral and is there to help both sides reach a mutual agreement.

Advocates at Work is there to represent you, talking for you if you aren’t confident to do so yourself and to explain the employer's mistakes.

Most employment cases are resolved at this stage, with a confidential settlement.

Employment Relations Authority (ERA):

If Mediation doesn't result in a settlement, we take the case to the ERA.

This involves a hearing with witness interviews from both side of the dispute.

Advocates at Work come with you to the hearing to represent you and to ensure you understand the process, all the details of the discussion and what is required to win.

The ERA makes a decision based on the evidence presented.

Advocates at Work has had decades of experience fighting for the rights of our clients and making sure they are completely supported throughout all steps of the employment disputes process.Our track record speaks for itself with an outstanding track record of exceptional outcomes and wins. Read more about them here.