Recognising Misconduct, Poor Performance and Absenteeism Training Course (NZ Version)

Why is the Recognising Misconduct, Poor Performance and Absenteeism Course Important?

When behavioural issues go unaddressed, they affect productivity, team morale, and workplace culture — often far more quickly than managers expect. A single unmanaged conduct issue can erode trust across an entire team, while poorly handled performance or attendance problems increase the risk of grievance claims that are difficult and costly to defend.

New Zealand managers have clear obligations under the Employment Relations Act 2000, the Holidays Act 2003, the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015, and the Privacy Act 2020. These laws set expectations around good faith, procedural fairness, documentation, and the duty to act reasonably before taking formal action.

This course gives managers the practical skills to respond to conduct, performance, and absenteeism issues in a way that is fair to the employee, legally sound, and well-documented — reducing the risk of personal grievance claims and protecting positive employment relationships.

Who Should Complete This Course

• Managers and supervisors are responsible for leading teams and managing day-to-day employee behaviour, performance, and attendance
• Team leaders who need to address workplace issues while meeting New Zealand employment law obligations
• HR professionals and people leaders supporting managers through conduct or performance processes
• Any manager seeking to build confidence in applying fair and lawful employment processes in their organisation

Topics Covered

• Recognising misconduct
• Recognising poor performance
• Recognising absenteeism
• Case studies: Recognising behaviours

Course Experience

Learners can expect:

• Fully online and accessible anytime
• Interactive and scenario-based learning
• Self-paced completion (pause/resume anytime)
• Assessment: 12-question quiz, 12/12 correct answers required
• Instant digital certificate on completion
• Accessible design (WCAG 2.2 AA compliant; suitable for all literacy levels)

Assessment

There is an assessment for this topic. 12-question quiz, 12/12 correct answers required.

Related Courses

• Managing Teams for Better Performance Training Course
• An Introduction to Management Training Course
• Transitioning From Employee to Manager Training Course
• Holding Productive 1-on-1 Meetings with your Team Training Course
• Team Culture: Assessing and Managing Training Course
• Communicating with Management and Key Stakeholders Training Course
• Mental Health Awareness for Managers Training Course (NZ Version)
• Ethics: Leaders and Managers Training Course

Learning Outcomes

On completing this course, you will be able to:

• Identify the key differences between misconduct, poor performance, and absenteeism in a New Zealand employment context
• Apply a fair, structured, and documented process when responding to workplace behavioural issues
• Understand your legal obligations as a manager under New Zealand employment law, including good faith and privacy requirements
• Respond appropriately to early warning signs before issues escalate to formal action
• Contribute to a workplace culture that addresses concerns consistently, respectfully, and in line with legal expectations

Organisational Benefits

• Reduce personal grievance risk — managers who follow fair, documented processes are far better placed to defend employment decisions
• Improve consistency across your people leadership — standardised training means managers apply the same standards and expectations regardless of team or location
• Strengthen your audit and compliance position — documented training records demonstrate your organisation takes employment obligations seriously
• Address issues early before they escalate — training builds the confidence managers need to act at the first signs of concern, not after problems have grown
• Support positive employment relationships — managers who respond fairly and in good faith protect morale and trust across their teams