Create a bespoke document in minutes, or upload and review your own.
Get your first 2 documents free
Your data doesn't train Genie's AI
You keep IP ownership of your information
Complaint Letter
I need a complaint letter addressing a recent issue with a product purchased online, detailing the defect and requesting a replacement or refund. The letter should be polite yet firm, include order details, and specify a response deadline of two weeks.
What is a Compensation Agreement?
A Compensation Agreement spells out how someone will be paid for their work, services, or contributions. These contracts are common in Kiwi workplaces, from small businesses to large corporations, and lay out the key details of payment terms, including salary, bonuses, commissions, and any performance-based incentives.
Under New Zealand employment law, these agreements help protect both employers and workers by clearly documenting payment obligations, timeframes, and conditions. They're especially useful for contractors, consultants, and unique work arrangements that fall outside standard employment agreements - making sure everyone understands exactly what compensation they'll receive and when they'll receive it.
When should you use a Compensation Agreement?
Use a Compensation Agreement when bringing on specialized talent like consultants, contractors, or senior executives in New Zealand. It's particularly important for roles involving complex pay structures - think sales positions with commission schemes, executive packages with share options, or project-based work with milestone payments.
These agreements become essential during mergers, company restructures, or when setting up profit-sharing arrangements. They protect both parties by clearly documenting payment terms before work begins, helping avoid disputes down the track. For businesses working with overseas contractors or implementing unique bonus systems, having this agreement in place helps ensure smooth payment processes and compliance with local employment laws.
What are the different types of Compensation Agreement?
- Simple Compensation Agreement: Basic template for straightforward salary arrangements with standard benefits and payment terms
- Commission Pay Agreement: Specifically for sales roles, detailing commission rates, targets, and calculation methods
- Bonus Agreement: Outlines performance-based rewards, KPIs, and bonus payment schedules
- Employee Retention Bonus Agreement: Incentivizes key staff to stay during critical periods with deferred payments
- Severance Pay Agreement: Details termination payments, including redundancy terms and post-employment benefits
Who should typically use a Compensation Agreement?
- Employers and Business Owners: Draft and implement these agreements to establish clear payment terms and protect company interests
- HR Managers: Handle day-to-day administration, ensure compliance with NZ employment law, and maintain compensation records
- Employees and Contractors: Review, negotiate, and sign agreements that outline their compensation structure and payment terms
- Legal Advisors: Review and customize Compensation Agreements to ensure they meet legal requirements and protect client interests
- Payroll Teams: Process payments and maintain records according to the agreement's terms
- Industry Regulators: Monitor compliance with relevant employment standards and fair pay legislation
How do you write a Compensation Agreement?
- Basic Details: Gather full names, addresses, and roles of all parties involved in the agreement
- Payment Structure: Document base salary, bonuses, commission rates, payment frequency, and any performance targets
- Employment Terms: Confirm start date, work hours, position title, and reporting relationships
- Benefits Package: List all additional benefits like KiwiSaver contributions, health insurance, or vehicle allowances
- Legal Requirements: Check current NZ employment standards and minimum wage requirements
- Review Process: Use our platform to generate a legally-sound document, then have all parties review the terms before signing
- Documentation: Keep copies of supporting documents like job descriptions or bonus calculation methods
What should be included in a Compensation Agreement?
- Party Details: Full legal names, addresses, and roles of all involved parties
- Compensation Terms: Clear breakdown of salary, bonuses, commissions, and payment schedules
- Duration: Start date, term length, and renewal conditions if applicable
- Performance Metrics: Specific KPIs or targets linked to variable pay components
- Payment Method: Banking details and processing timeframes
- Legal Compliance: References to relevant NZ employment laws and minimum wage requirements
- Termination Clauses: Conditions for ending the agreement and final payment terms
- Confidentiality: Protection of sensitive compensation information
- Signatures: Dated signatures of all parties, with witnesses if required
What's the difference between a Compensation Agreement and an Advisory Agreement?
A Compensation Agreement differs significantly from an Advisory Agreement in several key ways, though both are important business contracts. The main distinction lies in their core purpose and scope.
- Primary Focus: Compensation Agreements specifically detail payment terms, benefits, and financial incentives, while Advisory Agreements outline consulting services and strategic guidance responsibilities
- Duration and Structure: Compensation Agreements typically have ongoing payment schedules tied to employment or service delivery, whereas Advisory Agreements often follow project-based or fixed-term arrangements
- Legal Requirements: Compensation Agreements must comply with NZ employment standards and minimum wage laws; Advisory Agreements focus more on service delivery terms and confidentiality
- Performance Metrics: Compensation Agreements link payment to specific KPIs or targets; Advisory Agreements emphasize deliverables and expertise-based outcomes
- Tax Implications: Different tax treatments apply - Compensation Agreements usually involve PAYE, while Advisory Agreements often relate to business-to-business services
Download our whitepaper on the future of AI in Legal
ұԾ’s Security Promise
Genie is the safest place to draft. Here’s how we prioritise your privacy and security.
Your documents are private:
We do not train on your data; ұԾ’s AI improves independently
All data stored on Genie is private to your organisation
Your documents are protected:
Your documents are protected by ultra-secure 256-bit encryption
Our bank-grade security infrastructure undergoes regular external audits
We are ISO27001 certified, so your data is secure
Organizational security
You retain IP ownership of your documents
You have full control over your data and who gets to see it
Innovation in privacy:
Genie partnered with the Computational Privacy Department at Imperial College London
Together, we ran a £1 million research project on privacy and anonymity in legal contracts
Want to know more?
Visit our for more details and real-time security updates.
Read our Privacy Policy.