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166: Membership of Authority
or “The Employment Relations Authority is made up of a Chief and at least two other members, and one member handles each case.”
You could also call this:

“The person in charge makes sure everything runs smoothly and fairly for workers and bosses”

The Chief of the Employment Relations Authority has important duties beyond deciding cases. You should know that the Chief is in charge of making sure the Authority runs smoothly and achieves its goals.

The Chief’s job includes organising how members of the Authority do their work. They need to make sure cases are handled quickly and in an orderly way. The Chief also needs to make sure the Authority’s work matches the aims of the Employment Relations Act.

Another part of the Chief’s job is to guide the education and training of Authority members. This helps them do their jobs better.

The Chief can give instructions about how cases should be handled, including how long things should take. These instructions can’t go against the law or any rules made under it. The Chief can also tell specific members to look into particular cases.

If the Chief wants to, they can tell the Minister how well Authority members are following the instructions. This is part of a process described in section 169(3) of the Act.

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Next up: 166B: Delegation of Chief of Authority’s functions, duties, or powers

or “The boss of the work problem-solving group can ask someone else to do their job when they're away or busy.”
Next

Part 10 Institutions
Employment Relations Authority

166ARole of Chief of Authority

  1. In addition to deciding matters as a member of the Authority, the Chief of the Authority is responsible for—

  2. making any arrangements that are practicable to ensure that the members of the Authority discharge their functions—
    1. in an orderly and expeditious way; and
      1. in a way that meets the objects of this Act; and
      2. directing the education, training, and professional development of members of the Authority.

        1. Without limiting subsection (1), the Chief of the Authority may—

        2. issue instructions (not inconsistent with this Act or regulations made under it) that outline expectations in respect of the process, timeliness, or any other matter relating to the hearing and determination of matters before the Authority; and
          1. require particular members of the Authority to investigate particular matters.

            1. For the purposes of section 169(3), the Chief of the Authority may provide a report to the Minister in respect of any member of the Authority in regard to the member's adherence to and compliance with any instructions issued under subsection (2)(a).

            Notes
            • Section 166A: inserted, on , by section 31 of the Employment Relations Amendment Act 2010 (2010 No 125).