As an HR professional, you likely entered the field because you care about people and wanted to make a difference in the workplace. However, many HR roles don’t always allow you to lead or influence outcomes in the way you know is best for the employee. If you’ve ever felt constrained by company policies or the need to balance competing interests, becoming an Employment Law Advocate could be the perfect way to truly be on the side of the employee.
Work Directly for Employees, Not Employers
A key difference between HR and working as an Advocate is your ability to fully focus on representing the employee. In HR, you may not always be able to support employees in the way you want due to organisational priorities. As an Employment Law Advocate, you have the freedom to fight for the best outcomes for employees—whether it's recovering unpaid wages, pursuing a personal grievance or seeking fair treatment. You’re no longer balancing corporate interests; instead, your entire focus is on ensuring justice for the individual.
Professional Development – Master Employment Law
Transitioning into employment advocacy also offers significant professional development. You will gain a deeper understanding of the Employment Relations Act 2000 and how it applies in real-life scenarios. This knowledge will sharpen your skills on both sides of the table, whether you remain in advocacy or return to an HR function. Understanding the nuances of the law strengthens your ability to both support employees and guide employers toward better practices. Not only that but you get to apply it within mediations and even at hearings at the ERA.
Support Employees and Teach Them Valuable Lessons
By the time an employee reaches an Advocate, they have often faced significant challenges in their employment—unfair treatment, dismissal, or unresolved disputes. While you can’t change what has already happened to them, as their advocate, you have the chance to show genuine care and support. Beyond resolving their immediate issues, you can also give them valuable insights and lessons they can take into their next (and future) employment. You’ll not only help them navigate their current situation, but also empower them for future workplace experiences. That sense of helping becomes very palpable.
Educate Employers When They Get It Wrong
As an Advocate, you don’t just work for employees—you also have the unique opportunity to influence employers. When you challenge unfair decisions or practices, you are, in effect, teaching employers valuable lessons about what happens when they don’t follow the law or treat employees fairly. By holding employers accountable, you can help shape better workplace practices for the future. Through advocacy, you contribute to building fairer workplaces, making a tangible difference in how businesses handle employee relations.
True Autonomy and Freedom
One of the biggest benefits of becoming an Employment Law Advocate is the autonomy it offers. In HR, unless you’re in a senior leadership role, it can be difficult to have full control over decisions or strategies. Even at the top, you may still need to navigate organisational politics and competing interests. As an Advocate, you have true independence—you control your own caseload, set your strategies, and work directly with clients without having to answer to company policies. It’s a level of freedom and personal ownership that many HR roles can’t offer.
A Career That Makes a Difference
If you’re passionate about fairness, justice, and supporting people when they need it most, becoming an Employment Law Advocate is a natural next step from HR. It’s a chance to take your skills and experience from supporting employees within an organisation to fighting for their rights in a much more focused and impactful way.
Join Us at Sacked Kiwi
At Sacked Kiwi, we’re always looking for HR professionals who are ready to make the switch and represent employees. We value the unique skills HR professionals bring to the table and offer the support, autonomy, and growth opportunities you need to thrive. If you’re ready to become a true agent of change and make a meaningful difference for New Zealand employees, we’d love to have you on our team.
Making the move from HR to employee advocate isn’t just a career shift—it’s a chance to fully embrace your passion for people and justice, and to leave a lasting impact on employees and workplaces across the country. Contact [email protected] for a chat!