Employment

One of the country's top horse trainers allegedly mocked an Indian stablehand's accent and told him and other employees to speak proper English while at work.

The worker was among several staff members to have complained about the manager at the former Nelson-Marlborough DHB's Alcohol and Drug Service.

Officials are looking at cutting costs in the public service by creating hubs of consultants inside agencies, instead of relying on external ones.

Brooke van Velden wanted the increase to be even less than the 2 percent rise announced today.

It's a 2 percent increase equal to 45c per hour - the Workplace Relations Minister says it will "give our lowest paid workers more money in their pockets".

The postal workers union will begin talks with NZ Post this week to try to save the jobs of hundreds of posties.

'Choice to take that power back'

One ministry is offering voluntary redundancies while the Finance Minister has confirmed "all departments" need to cut costs. Audio

School principals are still short-staffed and low on relievers less than a week out from classrooms opening.

Job security confidence has fallen to a three-year low and there's a high level of negativity about future job prospects, a survey shows.

It comes after revelations that thousands of Woolworths employees may have been underpaid over several years.

Migrant workers have been protesting today at not receiving their final pay after losing their jobs a month ago.

A young migrant who worked long hours for free at a Central Otago hospitality business says she felt "like a prisoner" during her nine months in the job.

Thousands of supermarket staff working for Woolworths in the last nine years may have been underpaid.