James Watchorn stole his former employer’s 'secret recipes' for locating oil. He is now going to jail for 30 months and has also been ordered to pay $77,567. This case, the first of its kind and therefore decided in the absence of similar case law, has been a landmark decision by the Courts.

Drug testing in the workplace is a sensitive issue that is often difficult for employers to navigate. Drug testing will generally be acceptable in a safety-sensitive workplace but even then it can cause angst between the employer and employees. However, as shown in a recent case concerning Carter Holt Harvey, it is imperative that employers adhere to applicable policies and procedures.

Some of you may remember the case of Dickson v Idea Services Limited. This case had a profound impact on New Zealand employment law. Philip Dickson was a community support worker who performed ‘sleepovers’ caring for people with disabilities in community homes.

Times they are a-changin in New Zealand’s Health and Safety landscape.