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


What “don’t panic leadership” looks like in practice


The role of confidentiality and privilege in sensitive workplace matters


How procedural fairness and pragmatism can coexist


The impact of recent employment law changes around serious misconduct


What employers need to understand about the new high-income threshold


Where AI fits into employment relations and legal practice

 

Key Takeaways


Strong leadership during workplace crises requires calm, structure, and clear communication


Early escalation and involving the right people reduces organisational risk


Investigations should focus on facts, not assumptions or emotion


Procedural fairness still matters, even with changing legislation


Business impact, operational realities, and reputation all influence decision-making


Good process protects both people and organisations


AI can support efficiency, but human judgement remains essential


Organisations should treat every major issue as a learning opportunity

 

About Matthew Dearing

Matthew Dearing is a Senior Associate at Edwards Sluiters, one of New Zealand’s largest specialist employment law firms.

He has extensive experience advising organisations on employment relations, restructures, investigations, serious misconduct, restraint of trade matters, executive exits, and workplace risk.

Prior to joining Edwards Sluiters, Matthew served as Employment Relations Legal Counsel for Wilson Group and previously held the role of Head of Legal and General Counsel for the EMA.

Known for his calm, pragmatic approach, Matthew works closely with organisations to navigate complex workplace issues while balancing legal, operational, and reputational considerations.

 

Why This Episode Matters

For HR professionals, executives, business owners, and leaders dealing with workplace complexity, this episode provides practical insight into how to navigate difficult situations without escalating unnecessary risk, conflict, or reputational damage.

Whether you’re handling a restructure, serious misconduct issue, investigation, or organisational crisis, this conversation offers practical guidance grounded in real-world experience.

 

Resources & Links


Edwards Sluiters


Matthew Dearing | LinkedIn

HR Unlocked with Lisa Oakley is a leadership conversation series where thoughtful HR and business leaders share lived experience on people, risk, culture, and compliance. It is designed for business owners, senior leaders, and HR professionals across Australasia to learn from real decisions and leadership judgment. The show is a platform to honour the contribution of leaders willing to share their experience.

<p>HR Unlocked with Lisa Oakley is a leadership conversation series where thoughtful HR and business leaders share lived experience on people, risk, culture, and compliance. It is designed for business owners, senior leaders, and HR professionals across Australasia to learn from real decisions and leadership judgment. The show is a platform to honour the contribution of leaders willing to share their experience.</p>