The Employers and Manufacturers Association (EMA) has been criticised for a "gross" and "outdated" presentation that pushed an "absolutely archaic narrative".
Kaya Sparke, who is a Rotorua business owner and also the Green Party's candidate for the city, posted photos from a presentation held on Wednesday that she said made her feel "just about done with the 'business community'".
Sparke said those in the business class were told "all the ways it's legal to discriminate against potential employees".
She posted an image of one presentation slide to Twitter that shows a woman with facial piercings and tattoos and the caption "yes or no" above it. Sparke interprets this slide to mean employers should judge the competence and employability of those who have facial piercings and tattoos.
"As the only pierced and tattooed person under 40 in the room [it was] particularly troubling," Sparke said.
"They drew laughs from everyone else. How are we still pushing this gross, false and absolutely archaic narrative that [your] look/age define [your] competence."
EMA chief executive Brett O'Riley said in a statement to Stuff the presenter was trying to "inject some lightness into a complex topic".
"We apologise if this caused Ms Sparke offence. The deliberately provocative slide of the heavily tattooed and pierced person was used to highlight what employers cannot and must not discriminate against."
Another slide compared the attitudes Baby Boomers, Gen X and Gen Y reportedly have to technology, sex, work and other influences.
On money, Baby Boomers apparently like to earn it, it isn't everything to Gen X, but Gen Y like to say "give it to me".
Sparke said she'd just expanded her business and was looking to begin employing people over the next two months. She added she was keen to learn more in the presentation about employment.
"The EMA guy taking the class started off by saying, 'my first role was as a union organiser, but I soon realised I didn't wanna be working for the slackers who need to be sacked so I started working for the employers instead'," she said.
"It only got worse from there, proceeded to say that 90 day trials are our friends and we should employ sooner rather than later because Labour and the Greens are going to scrap them when they get back in."
O'Riley responded to Sparke on Twitter and said her feedback on the presentation was important to the company.
"The EMA champions good faith relations in the workplace, we work alongside the unions in various tripartite forums," he said.
"We are here to support businesses and their teams. I would be happy to talk about this with you in my role as CEO of the EMA."
When Newshub contacted EMA for comment on the presentation, a spokesperson said they had nothing to say.
Sparke said in a statement that as a small business owner, she understands how integral small businesses are to help New Zealand flourish.
"But in taking on this role, I believe we have a responsibility to provide fair working conditions for our employees and ensure they are supported to thrive," she said.
"It can't just be about the bottom line, it must also be about creating a fair and transparent culture that supports our neighbours and communities."
She added "all people should be respected", regardless of their age or how they choose to represent themselves.
"The outdated assumption that looks define competence is one that needs to be put to rest. Aotearoa is at its strongest when everyone can be themselves, free of discrimination."
