The NZCTU strongly opposes the Employment Relations (Termination of Employment by Agreement) Amendment Bill 2025 (the Bill). The possibility of terminating employment in a mutually agreed manner already exists in our employment law system. This Bill adds absolutely nothing of merit to that right.
What this Bill does bring is a new ability for employers to put undue pressure on employees to leave employment without facing any accountability. In an industrial context where workers are facing economic hardship and joblessness, this Bill offers to expose working people to further vulnerability. As such, this Bill is completely out of touch with the needs of working people and is unwelcome.
