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Five of the eight universities spent almost $3 million to settle employment relationship problems last year, the Association of University Staff says.
Lincoln, Otago and Massey Universities did not provide their information.
AUS general secretary Helen Kelly said the information was requested, through the Official Information Act, because in recent years, universities were taking a more litigious approach to employment-relationship problems.
She said this was occurring despite many universities having an array of human-resources staff.
AUT University recorded the highest total to resolve or settle employment-relationship problems at $1.378m, but said much of this was incurred in restructuring rather than employment-related disputes.
- NZPA
