Letter Of Intent To Continue Employment Template for New Zealand

A Letter of Intent to Continue Employment is a formal document that confirms your employer's intention to extend or continue your employment relationship. This document serves as written confirmation of ongoing employment arrangements while ensuring compliance with New Zealand's comprehensive employment legislation framework.

When do you need this document?

You'll need this letter in several key situations. If you're approaching the end of a fixed-term contract and your employer wants to continue your employment, this letter provides immediate written confirmation while formal contract amendments are prepared. During organizational restructuring or company mergers, this document confirms your continued employment status and provides security during uncertain periods. Following successful completion of probationary periods, employers use this letter to formally confirm permanent employment status. You may also need this document when transitioning between departments or roles within the same organization, or when there are minor changes to your employment terms that don't warrant a complete contract revision.

Key legal considerations

Several critical legal elements must be addressed in your Letter of Intent to Continue Employment. The document must clearly reference your existing employment agreement and specify which terms continue unchanged versus any modifications. Under the Employment Relations Act 2000, any changes to employment terms must be clearly communicated and agreed upon in good faith. The letter should confirm your current role title, reporting relationships, work location, and any updated responsibilities. If salary, benefits, or working conditions are changing, these must be explicitly stated with effective dates. The document should also reference compliance with minimum entitlements under the Holidays Act 2003, including annual leave accrual and sick leave entitlements. Consider including clauses about health and safety obligations under the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015, particularly if your role or workplace is changing.

Legal requirements in New Zealand

New Zealand employment law imposes specific requirements for employment continuation documents. Under the Employment Relations Act 2000, all employment arrangements must comply with good faith principles, meaning both parties must act honestly and openly. The letter must not discriminate based on protected characteristics outlined in the Human Rights Act 1993, including age, gender, ethnicity, or family status. Minimum wage compliance under the Minimum Wage Act 1983 must be maintained, and any salary adjustments must meet current minimum wage standards. The document should acknowledge your existing rights to holidays, sick leave, and bereavement leave as established under the Holidays Act 2003. For roles involving health and safety responsibilities, compliance with the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015 must be confirmed. The letter should be signed by an authorized representative of your employer and include effective dates for any changes. Keep copies for your records, as this document may be required for future employment matters or disputes.