Dancers ruled employees rather than contractors by Employment Court

Thursday 15 October 2026 · 2 outlets · 4 reports · updated Fri 16 Oct, 9:59pm

In this story Employment Court, Calendar Girls

The Employment Court has declared that five former Calendar Girls dancers in Wellington were employees instead of independent contractors. The women, who worked at the club between 2015 and 2023, argued the contractor status deprived them of entitlements like sick and annual leave.

How they headlined it

21h4h

Thu 6:38pm8:51pmFri 5:43pm9:59pm

1. StuffThu 15 Oct, 6:38pm

   Fines for wearing underwear and strict appearance rules: Calendar Girls dancers ruled employees, not contractors (opens in new tab)

   • ‘Hard-earned closure’: Dancers speak out after landmark Calendar Girls ruling (opens in new tab) Fri 16 Oct, 5:43pm
2. RNZThu 15 Oct, 8:51pm

   Employment Court rules five Calendar Girls dancers were employees, not contractors (opens in new tab)

   • Employment Court ruling over Calendar Girls sets 'important precedent' for country, dancers say (opens in new tab) Fri 16 Oct, 9:59pm