From July 1, all employers must keep a signed copy of employee agreements or current terms and conditions of employment – or they will face penalties.

Department of Labour employment relations chief adviser Craig Smith says agreements have been required by law since the introduction of the Employment Relations Act 2000.

'There is evidence that many workplaces still don't have employment agreements in place and this July 1 deadline will put responsibility on all employers to ensure agreements are in place, or they may face penalties,” says Craig.

'If a labour inspector finds an employer in breach of this legal requirement, they will give the employer seven days notice and if the breach hasn't been rectified after this period the employer will be fined.”

Employees with contractual problems stemming from such instances who contact the Tauranga Citizens Advice Bureau are referred to the Employment Relations Authority.

'They're the ultimate authority on any employment issues,” says an adviser there.

'They are part of the Labour Department and can be found on that website or via a free 0800 number.”