Ideology versus reality: New Zealand employer attitudes to legislative change of employment relations

There has been a shift to individualised and workplace-based employment relations in New Zealand. Researchers have canvassed many explanatory factors behind this shift but this paper focuses on the role played by employers. It draws on several surveys of employer attitudes and behaviours. These surveys have shown that the majority of employers have negative attitudes towards collective bargaining and they seek more employer determined flexibility. Employers are very supportive of post 2008 reductions in employment rights. Interestingly, many employers have yet to apply these legislative changes in their own workplace and it is unclear what future impact the legislative changes will have on the development of 'positive employment relationships'.