CLEW publications
View survey results, research reports, and other publications by researchers in the Centre for Labour, Employment, and Work.
Employment Agreements: Bargaining Trends and Employment Law Update
Employment Agreements: Bargaining Trends and Employment Law Update was published in conjunction with an annual seminar series run by the Industrial Relations Centre in CLEW. These seminars were held in different locations across New Zealand from 1994 to 2022.
Drawing on data from CLEW's employment agreements database, the annual publication provided a comprehensive overview of employment agreement provisions and case law developments over the previous 12 months.
Unions and union membership in New Zealand: annual survey results
The Centre for Labour, Employment, and Work Industrial Relations Centre (previously the Industrial Relations Centre) published survey results for every year from 1991 up to 2009. From 2009 the data was collected and published as an electronic document rather than in a separate volume.
The 2017 survey report (to 31st December 2017) was released in February 2019.
IPANZ gender analysis report 2019
This short summary report highlighted key findings, in particular gender differences, found in the 2019 IPANZ survey. It drew out selected findings from the wider survey that were of interest to the Government Women's Network.
The IPANZ survey was conducted by Esme Franken and Dr Geoff Plimmer between March and April 2019.
The research indicated that within-gender differences in managerial level are more significant than gender differences when it comes to work experiences. The differences between women of different managerial responsibility levels suggest that more attention needs to be given to the development of female non-managers.
The findings had strong implications for understanding women’s work experiences in the public sector. The study shed light on the importance of career progression and advancement opportunities, especially for younger, non-managers—women who may under-estimate their competence.
Research report: the role of middle managers in progressing gender equity
Dr Noelle Donnelly, Prof Jane Parker, Dr Julie Douglas, Dr Katherine Ravenswood, and Ruth Weatherall.
The report by researchers at Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington, Massey University, and Auckland University of Technology (AUT) shows significant barriers remain in the role of middle managers in progressing gender equity in the public service. The team of researchers conducted interviews with senior executives and middle managers from four public service agencies in New Zealand.
The report shows middle managers report ongoing challenges in balancing the needs of individuals with organisational requirements and highlights the need to develop coordinated gender equity strategies within agencies.
The report also recommends creating improved resources and capabilities to support managers in their role as facilitators of gender equity initiatives in their workplaces.
CLEW published a number of reports based on the two Workplace Dynamics Surveys (2013 and 2016), in conjunction with the NZ Public Service Association, along with other contracted research.
Report to New Zealand Productivity Commission
Staff perceptions of performance and effectiveness in the New Zealand State Sector (2017), Geoff Plimmer, Clara Cantal, and Tamara Qumseya.
The report further analysed the data from the 2016 Public Service Association Survey on workplace dynamics in public sector organisations originally undertaken under contract to CLEW.
The report contributed to the Productivity Commission’s inquiry into how the New Zealand state sector can effectively measure and improve productivity in core public services, with a focus on health, education, justice, and social support.
Support to learn and use Te Reo in New Zealand public services
Clara Cantal, Geoff Plimmer and Tamara Qumseya.
The research was commissioned by the Māori Language Commission as part of the 2016 Workplace Dynamics Survey in the Public Services of New Zealand.
This report concerns two open questions that were included in this third survey (Plimmer and Cantal, 2016). These questions, commissioned by Te Taura Whiri i te Reo Māori, sought to determine the level and nature of support for Te Reo in government agencies. This report describes the results from these questions.
Workplace Dynamics in New Zealand Public Services (2013)
Geoff Plimmer, Jessie Wilson, Jane Bryson, Stephen Blumenfeld, Noelle Donnelly, and Bill Ryan.
Commissioned by the Public Service Association (PSA), this research report presented PSA members’ views on a diverse range of issues relating both to their working lives and the organisations in which they work.
Workplace Dynamics in New Zealand Public Services (2016)
Geoff Plimmer and Clara Cantal.
This research extended and updated the research conducted in 2013 with PSA members (see above). Additional questions were included that explored management practice and perceptions of managers and management style.
Working from Home: Lessons from the Christchurch Experience (2013)
Noelle Donnelly and Sarah Proctor-Thomson
This research was commissioned as a joint initiative between Inland Revenue and the Public Service Association to explore the organisational and worker experiences of working from home arrangements in the aftermath of the Christchurch earthquakes.
