New Zealand: Are we leading the way in construction with our retentions regime under the Construction Contracts Act 2002 when compared to the recent sledgehammer approach in the UK to ban retentions altogether? That is somewhat of a rhetorical question as why would we now throw out the current retentions regime?

This article examines unilateral termination of employment by conduct, or "silent dismissal," where employers end relationships through actions like blocking office access or cutting off emails instead of formal notice. Though not explicitly in the Labor Code, judicial practice and Procuracy guidance now recognize these acts as unlawful termination, exposing firms to lawsuits and heavy compensation. 

Australia: Recent cases and legislative reforms have expanded employer tax obligations across multiple fronts, increasing cost, complexity and compliance risk for a wide range of businesses. This article highlights three recent developments with direct consequences for employers.