Episode Details

What happens when a serious workplace issue lands on your desk and everyone is looking to you for answers?

In this episode of HR Unlocked, Lisa Oakley sits down with employment lawyer Matthew Dearing to unpack what effective leadership, decision-making, and risk management actually look like when organisations are navigating high-pressure employment relations situations.

With experience spanning specialist employment law, in-house counsel, and executive advisory roles, Matthew shares practical insight into handling restructures, investigations, serious misconduct, migrant exploitation claims, executive exits, and reputational risk.

This conversation goes beyond legal process and explores the real-world balancing act between operational realities, procedural fairness, leadership judgement, and organisational reputation.

From “don’t panic leadership” to the changing employment law landscape in New Zealand, this episode offers grounded, highly practical advice for leaders, HR professionals, and business owners managing complexity.

What You’ll Learn

• How to lead calmly and effectively during workplace crises

• Why HR and legal leaders must bring solutions, not just problems

• The importance of defining the real issue before acting

• How to manage investigations involving reputational risk