Q & A: Restructuring
December 5, 2023
Restructures within an organisation can be difficult – not only following the correct process but also the emotions of everyone involved. It is important to stop and think about the process before you embark on this. Here is a Q & A to get your thinking going.
Paying Employees – Christmas and New Year
December 4, 2023
With Christmas day falling on a Monday this year, it makes calculating the payroll a little easier. There is no transferring of the public holidays (unless you have a specific agreement for this), so Monday 25th and Tuesday 26th December are public holidays as are Monday 1st and Tuesday 2nd January. Read more for a summary of the fundamentals:
Thinking of a Restructure Before Christmas? Some Things You Should Know:
December 4, 2023
If you are tempted into rushing a restructure before the Christmas break then consider your steps very carefully. A restructure which may result in lost positions, must still be considered thoroughly. There are strict legal obligations on the employer notwithstanding that the writing is on the wall.
Leaders – Don’t miss out
October 18, 2023
Our recent free seminar on communication and leadership had great feedback and created a real buzz. The Nelson event was fully booked and so is the upcoming Blenheim seminar and we’ve had a lot of out of town interest. So, for those interested, we are looking to deliver the same seminar as a free webinar and we would like to gauge your interest.
Christmas Closedowns and Leave Q & A
October 17, 2023
At the risk of being hounded for mentioning Christmas in October, if you are planning a closedown over the Christmas and New Year period, you need to start thinking about it now. Here is a Q&A to get your thinking going.
Redundancy, Performance or Medical Incapacity
October 17, 2023
There are times an employer is faced with different paths for bringing an employee’s employment to an end. They may…
National’s 100 day plan
October 17, 2023
We have a new government and, subject to the nuances of who the National Party will partner with, they have a pre stated 100 day plan. Changes in the employment arena cover two primary legislations changes. It is intended to reintroduce the 90 day trial period for all employers and to repeal the ‘Fair Pay Agreements’ legislation.
Unpaid Interns Declared Employees
July 30, 2023
Is an intern an employee? According to a recent Employment Relations Authority (ERA) case the answer is yes. This decision, along with a general trend on what is deemed to be work is once again in the spotlight.
Too Sick to be Dismissed?
July 30, 2023
In the middle of a disciplinary process the employee calls in sick (generally the reason given is stress) and says they can’t attend any further meetings. This prolongs the disciplinary process, often to the point where the employer is left wondering if taking disciplinary action is worth it. This is a frequent occurrence and one that leaves employers frustrated.
Fair Pay Agreements Update – This Probably Affects You!
July 30, 2023
If you have employees who are commercial cleaners, security officers, work in early childhood education, the grocery supermarket industry, bus transport or in hospitality related roles, then this article is an essential read.
HOT OFF THE PRESS – Big change in legislation
June 15, 2023
There is an important development in employment law occurred on 13 June 2023. It extends the time frame to allow a claim of sexual harassment in the workplace from the standard 90 days to 12 months.
Costly Mistakes in the Redundancy Process
June 14, 2023
A New Zealand Steel company found out the hard way, the cost of getting a redundancy process wrong. The employee was awarded $25k in compensation, 18 months lost wages and was reinstated.
The Power of Chat GPT
June 14, 2023
An exciting and scary development in Artificial Intelligence (AI), Chat GPT is affecting us all in the workplace. Recently, I ventured into the abyss and tried it for the first time. I asked it to “Write an article on the impact of Chat GPT on employment in New Zealand.
Investigations; Q & A
May 1, 2023
What are your options for conducting a workplace investigation? He is a short Q & A to test your knowledge on how to approach these scenarios.
$56k Payout for Bullying
April 18, 2023
After just 6 months into her new job, Katherine McIntyre felt compelled to resign from her Administration Assistant role because of the bullying behaviour of her colleague. She raised a personal grievance claiming constructive dismissal.
Fair Pay Agreement Update
April 18, 2023
The first union application for a Fair Pay Agreement (FPA) to be negotiated has been approved by the Chief Executive of MBIE. Bus Drivers are the first cab off the rank. Here is a reminder of what this is all about and why it is important for all employers to understand the impact.
What is Work?
April 16, 2023
We are likely to all agree that once an employee is at work and being productive, they are working and therefore entitled to be paid. The question becomes more contentious when considering less clear-cut circumstances such as the time traveling to and from work, having to sleep over somewhere because of work, being on-call but not actually at work, or being at work but not being as productive as expected.
Sick, Not Sick
March 13, 2023
Usually, a genuinely sick employee is easier to manage than one you suspect of ‘trying it on’. When someone is genuinely unwell, they are open and honest with you and provide you with the information you need to make decisions and plan for cover, your ability to manage and be understanding is often extensive. Most employers go beyond their legal obligations to try to support a sick employee.
Absence & ACC Q & A
March 13, 2023
Absence comes in all shapes and sizes and can be daunting for employers to know the best way to address the issue. Try our quick Q & A to test your knowledge on how to approach these scenarios.
Employees Work Overtime?
March 13, 2023
If you require employees to do overtime, even if they can turn it down in practice, they must be compensated for this availability according to a recent Employment Court decision.
Payroll over Easter
March 13, 2023
The easter eggs and hot cross buns are already in the shops! An excellent reason to indulge in more chocolate and also a reminder to put our minds to what employees are paid over the Easter period. This is why it is necessary to eat chocolate. So go and grab that easter egg you hid from the children/partner and settle down for some revision.
Fair Pay Agreements: Test your Knowledge
February 8, 2023
Are you up to speed with the Fair Pay Agreement process, your obligations, and how it may affect your business? Test your knowledge by reviewing these scenarios.
Redundancy Q & A
February 7, 2023
There is a process that must be followed before you make a decision to implement redundancies.. Try our quick Q & A to help you test knowledge on the redundancy process.
Employee Affected by Family Violence: A Family Violence Policy May Greatly Assist
February 7, 2023
In 2019 it was formally recognised that an employee affected by family violence (either current or historical) can be significantly impacted in every aspect of their life, not least the satisfactory performance of their employment obligations.
Employer Pays for One Small Error in Dismissal Process
February 7, 2023
A case recently before the Employment Relations Authority has seen a small error in the process by the employer resulting in a compensation payment to an employee with a negative attitude who also operated his own business during the employer’s time.
Managing Christmas Leave Q & A
November 29, 2022
This year Christmas Day is after Boxing Day, and New Year’s Day comes after January 2nd! Don’t believe me? These Q&As on public holidays and closedowns over Christmas may help you to understand.
Take Care When Making That Offer of Employment
November 28, 2022
You think you have found the ideal applicant for your position. You offer them the position. They may even have signed an employment agreement. But before they start work you become aware of information that makes you question their suitability. Can you revoke the offer of employment?
Beware: Redundancy Selection Essentials
November 28, 2022
This case outlines the importance of consultation when applying the selection process following a restructure. The Authority found two redundant employees had been unjustifiably dismissed after being deprived of the opportunity to provide feedback on their scores when compared with those of the successful employees.
Personal Liability for Personal Grievance
October 26, 2022
If you are a director of a company that employs staff then you need to be aware of a new Court of Appeal decision. It has some far-reaching consequences and may make you personally liable for actions (or inactions) of the company or organisation you stand behind.
The Complexities of Sexual Harassment Complaints
October 26, 2022
Managing a sexual harassment complaint in your workplace is one of the most challenging employment matters you can deal with. In addition to the devastating personal impact sexual harassment can have on an individual, the process of dealing with a complaint can be treacherous.
Christmas Closedowns and Leave Q & A
October 26, 2022
Test your Knowledge to ensure you are on top of the latest COVID-19 updates.
Recent COVID-19 Changes: Q & A
September 22, 2022
Test your Knowledge to ensure you are on top of the latest COVID-19 updates.
Life as we knew it
September 22, 2022
Life as we Knew it:
COVID-19 Rules Update and Recommendations: Our lives have once again changed to be the closest to a life before COVID-19. Exit the traffic light system and vaccination mandates. For businesses, it is again time to review your health and safety risks.
Paying Employees for 26 September Public Holiday
September 22, 2022
To mark the passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, the Government has announced a one-off national public holiday, to take place on Monday 26 September 2022.
This means that normal Public Holiday requirements under the Holidays Act will apply.
House Rules Oversight Costs Employer $10K
September 22, 2022
An 18-year-old supermarket worker was dismissed for serious misconduct for dyeing her hair an unnatural colour and refusing to wear a hat. She raised a personal grievance for unjustified dismissal.
Employment Agreements: Q & A
August 11, 2022
Test your knowledge on the requirements of Employment Agreements and some of those regular stumbling blocks such as what if the employee won’t sign.
Employment Agreement Clauses: Legislation and Case Law that can Impact
August 10, 2022
Last year in particular, there were a lot of law changes and some case law decisions that have meant individual employment agreement (IEA) templates need updating.
Heat of the Moment Resignations
August 10, 2022
Do you really need to give them more time to consider? Two recent decisions of the Employment Court may be indicating a turning of the times when it comes to requiring an employer to allow additional time or a cooling off period before considering an employee’s resignation.
Redundancy: Getting it Right
June 22, 2022
Of the 29 Employment Relations Authority determinations on redundancy personal grievances so far in 2022, this is the only one where the employer won the case. The vast majority failed because the employer did not follow the correct process.
Tough Employment Market: Should We Pay More?
June 21, 2022
We have recently had an increase in the number of clients asking about remuneration and benefits. Specifically, about ways to pay more because in the current climate many organisations are concerned with how to retain and attract talent. They think that paying more might address that concern.
Redundancy Q&A
June 21, 2022
For businesses facing the possibility of redundancies, it is a heartbreaking but necessary step to ensure the long term viability of your organistion. In this Q & A we cover some of the essentials necessary to follow a sound redundancy process.
Our first Matariki Public Holiday
June 20, 2022
Matariki marks the beginning of the Māori New Year. The first Matariki public holiday is Friday 24 June 2022.
The date Matariki is celebrated each year changes. For the purpose of the public holiday, the date it is observed has been determined..
Vaccination Mandate Overturned: Should Employers be Concerned?
March 24, 2022
In short - mostly there is no need to worry despite a High Court decision that ruled the Covid-19 vaccination…
Isolation: Is it sick leave? (Q & A)
March 24, 2022
These are all real-life examples of questions we have been asked (some details changed to prevent identification). What would you do?
Replacing Staff After a Redundancy
March 24, 2022
After deciding a position is not needed in your organisation and going through the pain of the subsequent redundancy, what…
Mandates, Masks and Scanning: What can Employers Insist on?
March 24, 2022
Let’s start with yesterday’s (Wednesday 23 March) changes. Vaccine mandates will only be required for those working in health, aged…
Curly Omicron Scenarios Q & A
January 27, 2022
These are all real-life examples of questions we have been asked (some details changed to prevent identification). What would you do?
Wellbeing Resources & Other Support
January 27, 2022
Here are a number of sites you may find useful to stay abreast of changes, access financial and workplace supports…
Omicron Rules & Regulations – Key Questions Answered
January 27, 2022
Mandated Boosters On 23 January, the snappily named “COVID-19 Public Health Response (Vaccinations) Amendment Order 2022” came into force. This…
Giving Notice to Unvaccinated Employees Q & A
December 7, 2021
There have been dozens of questions about the intricacies of terminating the employment of an unvaccinated worker. Here are some answers to commonly (and not so commonly) asked questions.
Decisions About the Unvaccinated
December 7, 2021
For organisations where clear, unambiguous government vaccine mandates are in place (e.g. border workers, health sector, teachers), the decisions required…
Managing Wellbeing in the Workplace
December 7, 2021
It’s not exaggerating to state that there is a hell of a lot going on in the world at the moment. As we all now navigate the “traffic light” system, a further period of adjustment and change, it would be understandable if people feel ‘over it’.
Mandated Vaccinations: What to do?
October 19, 2021
Even with the mandating of the COVID vaccination for many organisations, employers still need to follow a process before deciding to terminate employment. An employer’s good faith obligations remain.
Repayment of $27k Ordered
October 19, 2021
After 11 months as a Truck Driver for LongChill Ltd in the Manawatū, Mr Hardaker resigned from his job. There were no issues and no personal grievances raised, and ordinarily that would be the end of the story.
No jab, no job – Dismissal Justified
October 19, 2021
GF v New Zealand Customs Service is the first Employment Relations Authority decision relating to an employee’s termination because they refused to get a COVID-19 vaccination.
Protecting our Business and Team
October 18, 2021
As we come to accept COVID-19 is a reality in our communities and hard lock downs will no longer be the government response, businesses will need to consider what steps they will take to meet their health and safety obligations and protect their businesses.
What Kind of Leave Q&A
September 1, 2021
These are all real-life examples of questions we have been asked (some details changed to prevent identification). What would you do?
Dismissal Justified – $8K Compensation Anyway
September 1, 2021
Despite the Employment Relations Authority determining a company Managing Director was justifiably dismissed, the former employee was awarded $8,000 because of the poor process and how he was suspended.
Returning to Work: Practical Steps
September 1, 2021
Here are some initial practical steps employers can take at each COVID-19 Alert Level change.
COVID-19 Policy Pack – Now Available
September 1, 2021
This pack of information including policies and risk assessment tools will help you with making a plan and communications and expectations for your staff during a crisis.
Court: No obligation to pay minimum wage to non-working employees during lockdown
August 18, 2021
The Employment Relations Authority found that Gate Gourmet had breached the Minimum Wage Act by paying staff less than the minimum wage during the Covid-19 lockdown.
My Employee Refuses to Take a COVID Test?
August 18, 2021
‘My employee is showing symptoms of COVID and I have asked them to go and have a test to protect the rest of my staff and myself. They are refusing! What can I do?”
COVID-19: Short-term Absence Payment (for testing)
August 18, 2021
The COVID-19 Short-Term Absence Payment is still available for businesses, including self-employed people, to help pay their workers who cannot work from home while they wait for a COVID-19 test result.
Back to the Basics – FAQ’s
August 18, 2021
Here are some answers to those fundamental questions of what you can and can’t do with staff during lockdown, and some reminders on all things COVID related.
The Source of the Vaccine Microchip Conspiracy Theory
June 30, 2021
Just for the record that is a definite no – there is no microchip or anything similar in any of…
Contractor Ruled as Employee
June 28, 2021
In the recent case of Barry v CI Builders Limited, despite the parties agreeing that Mr Barry was a contractor, the Employment Court found that the real nature of the relationship was in fact an employment relationship.
Parental Leave: Key Things to Remember
June 28, 2021
There have been many changes to employee leave entitlements over the last 12 months including parental leave provisions. On 1st July 2020, Government funded paid parental leave increased..
Parent-Teacher Interview Leave
June 28, 2021
An amendment to the Holiday Act to include parent-teacher interview leave has had its first reading in Parliament.
Fair Pay Agreements – How will the Proposed System Work?
June 2, 2021
In early May the Government finally provided details regarding the proposed design of its Fair Pay Agreement system. Here’s what we know so far…….
Amendment Bill to Increase Sick Leave Entitlements Passes
June 2, 2021
A bill introduced in December 2020 to increase the availability of employer-funded sick leave has passed its third and final reading and will come into effect on 24th July 2021.
Unjustifiably Dismissed Gold Mine Worker Awarded $18,980
June 2, 2021
Justin Banks had only been working for a month at a gold mine in Arahura, near the town of Hokitika,…
Selling Your Business?
May 31, 2021
If you are considering selling your business you are obliged to consult with your employees first. For many business owners this seems bizarre - after all it is theirs to sell and not the decision of your employees.
‘Sorry, it was a joke’ not Accepted
May 3, 2021
Ivan Ilin, an employee at the Meadow Fresh milk processing facility in Christchurch, was dismissed for drawing a swastika on his company overalls, just a few days after the Christchurch mosque terror attacks.
Four days after the attacks Ilin was asked by a colleague what he thought about the attacks.
Security Guards get job Protection
May 3, 2021
Effective from 1 July 2021 Security Guards will be deemed to be ‘vulnerable workers’ under the Employment Relations Act. As such they will have the automatic right to transfer their employment including their existing terms and conditions and leave entitlements, when the security contracts they are working on for one employer are taken over by a new employer.
Year Long Backlog for Personal Grievances
May 3, 2021
The Employment Relations Authority (ERA), the body that determines personal grievances, has a backlog of 659 cases on their books, with a further 280 yet to be assigned. The result is a wait of over a year for a case to be determined.
Test Your Knowledge: COVID-19 Travel and Vaccinations
May 1, 2021
Test your knowledge with these scenarios and questions around Trans-Tasman Travel and Vaccinations. Do you know the answers or have a process in place to manage these situations? If you would like other questions answered in our next Q & A please email them to [email protected]
Holidays Act Future Changes 2021
March 22, 2021
As a result of a Taskforce that reviewed the current Holidays Act and provide recommendations for improvement earlier this year, the Government indicated that the 22 recommendations should be adopted in full. We can now expect to see legislative changes in early 2022 to the Holidays Act in line with these recommendations…
Manager Awarded Over $76K Following Flawed Redundancy
March 21, 2021
The Employment Relations Authority (ERA) has ruled a tech company’s dismissal of a senior sales and marketing manager was unjustified. The ERA’s decision found the company failed to follow proper processes by not offering the employee a position in the company when it became vacant during his notice period.
Paying Employees for Public Holidays
March 21, 2021
Employees get a paid day off on public holidays if it’s an otherwise working day for them. An otherwise working day is a day that an employee would have been working had the day not been a public holiday.
Over the Easter and ANZAC holidays, some employment questions that regularly arise are...
COVID-19 Vaccinations: Employment Implications
March 19, 2021
As we enter the vaccination phase of this pandemic a new set of questions and considerations arise for employers. The Think Tank session we held last week raised some puzzling conundrums and generated excellent discussion. Thank you to everyone who contributed. A summary of the discussion points follow in this article.
New Public Holiday Recognising Matariki
February 17, 2021
One of Labour’s election promises was to introduce a new public holiday, from 2022, to recognise Matariki.
Urine-based Drug Testing Challenged
February 17, 2021
ERA agreed employees could choose an oral swab test instead.
Many of our clients have had workplace drug and alcohol testing in place for a long time and the use of a testing regime is a practice generally understood and accepted by most employees.
COVID-19: Short-term Absence Payment
February 16, 2021
The COVID-19 Short-Term Absence Payment is now available for businesses, including self-employed people, to help pay their workers who cannot work from home while they wait for a COVID-19 test result.
COVID-19 Vaccinations
February 16, 2021
Can Employers Insist on vaccinations?
With COVID-19 vaccinations becoming available in New Zealand, initially to health and border workers and their families, we are starting to have the conversation with employers about whether or not they can require workers to have a vaccination.
Bullied Employee Wins Constructive Dismissal
January 19, 2021
Employee sought an exit strategy when raising the grievance, however the employer was found to have breached their duty of care.
No Obligation to Pay Minimum Wage to Non-Working Employees During Lockdown
January 18, 2021
An airline catering company, Gate Gourmet, was found to have breached the Minimum Wage Act by paying staff less than the minimum wage during the Covid-19 lockdown. The company appealed the ERA decision...
New Sick Leave Entitlement
January 18, 2021
The Government have started the process to increase employee sick leave from 5 days to 10 days per year with the introduction of a Bill to Parliament. The Bill will go through a full select committee process and is expected to be passed in mid-2021
Potential Christmas Problems Q & A
December 3, 2020
Some staff issues can arise more frequently during the Christmas / New Year’s period, particularly poor behaviour, staff safety issues and additional unplanned absences. We have put together some Q & A's to assist you to manage these situations.
Christmas Closedowns and Employee Leave
November 29, 2020
As 4 public holidays over the Christmas/New Year’s period fall on Fridays and Saturdays this year, businesses may like to close over some or all of this period. This might mean that some or all employees could be required to take leave during this time. To understand the two types of closedowns and your employee obligations.
Paying Employees Statutory Days – Christmas and New Year
November 27, 2020
Christmas Day and New Year’s Day fall on a Friday this year with Boxing Day and the Day after New Year’s falling on a Saturday. If you are unsure how your employees should be paid over these statutory holidays.
Privacy Act Changes
November 27, 2020
The Privacy Act has been updated and came into effect 1st December 2020. A lot has changed since the last update in 1993, including the use of the internet as a business tool and to store data. To find out the key changes and what your business should now be taking into consideration.
Recruitment and Selection Mistakes
November 3, 2020
Are you guilty of any of the following?
Here are the most common slip ups we see employers making..
..Making hasty decisions because you are desperate! Using an interview as your only selection tool.. read more
Recruiting After Restructuring
November 3, 2020
A number of businesses are showing signs of recovery post COVID-19 lockdown, and have found themselves needing to expand their team and advertise for more staff, after initially making people redundant.
So - what if you had to let an employee go recently due to the COVID downturn and now you need to refill that position – must you re-employ your ex-employee?
Did you Know?…
October 13, 2020
Reference checking, whether conducting them yourself or offering to be a referee for an ex employee, can sometimes be tricky to ensure it is without risk. To understand the guidelines around reference checks, read more...
What to say When?
October 12, 2020
When an employee leaves your business, for whatever reason, it is important to explain or communicate to the remaining staff in a professional way. Here are some examples...2 minute read
Overpaid Employee Ordered to Repay Employer
October 12, 2020
The Employment Relations Authority (ERA) has found that an employee of Noel Leeming Group had been overpaid while they were on ACC-funded leave and ordered the employee to repay the overpayment.
The employee, Michael Saunders, had been employed since late 2017. In December 2018 he suffered a non-work accident and was then off work until 21 March 2019.
What to say When?
September 1, 2020
‘Many of my employees have enjoyed working from home in recent months due to the Alert Level restrictions imposed on our working environment. Now some want to work from home permanently and I am struggling to justify why they can’t after 3 months of being able to do so. I also don’t want to create an influx of requests!’..What can I say in response to them?
Alert Level 2 – Covid Testing, Payments, Work attendance
September 1, 2020
My employee won’t come to work, my employee won’t test, when do I and when don’t I need to pay my employee?
Paying employees who cannot attend work because they have been advised by the Ministry of Health to stay home while waiting for COVID test results.
Triangular Employment Relationships Explained
September 1, 2020
A triangular employment arrangement is a situation where the employer (the agency) arranges for the employee’s placement or assignment with a third party (the host organisation).
It is ‘triangular’ because there are three parties to an employment arrangement, with each party having distinct relationships with one another.
Changes to employment law in the past month mean a worker in these triangular situations can now claim a personal grievance against a host organisation.
Privacy Act – What’s Changing?
August 31, 2020
The privacy Act 2020 comes into effect 1 December 2020. The current privacy laws were last put in place in 1993. A lot has changed since, including the use of the internet as a business tool and to store data. Read more to see what the key changes will be.
Reducing Pay During Level 4 Lockdown: ERA Decisions
August 4, 2020
Two personal grievances raised in relation to reducing pay during Level 4 lockdown have been heard and decided on by the Employment Relations Authority.
The wage subsidy declaration gave many employers the impression that as long as they had used their ‘best endeavours’ to pay their staff at 80% of their normal wages then there wasn’t an actual obligation to pay them anything more than the wage subsidy itself.
Redundancy During COVID-19 lockdown: The first grievance decision
August 4, 2020
The first case for a redundancy during COVID-19 lockdown has been decided by the Employment Relations Authority. It has cost the employer a pay out to two former employees a total of just over $58,000.
Traffic Stop-Go Controller Sought $80K but Ordered to pay Employer
August 4, 2020
Yoon Cheol Hong worked for Chevron Traffic Services Ltd as a Traffic Controller from September 2017 until his dismissal in…
Payroll Q & A
August 4, 2020
Test your payroll knowledge with these tricky questions relating to holiday pay for employees with changed working hours, redundancy pay and contractors on your payroll. If you would like other questions answered in our next Q & A please email them to [email protected]
When a Discretionary Payment isn’t Discretionary
June 18, 2020
A recent full sitting of the Employment Court (three judges), made a decision on a key holiday pay question: what ‘discretionary payments’ such as bonuses are included in holiday pay calculations.
When calculating Holiday Pay the Holidays Act requires “productivity and incentive based payments” to be taken into account. There are however exceptions to this...
Employee or Contractor ? A new case.
June 18, 2020
Earlier this month the Employment Court decided a Courier Driver operating as an Independent Contractor was in fact an employee. This is not a new issue, and there is well established case law setting out the criteria used to determine whether a person is genuinely a contractor. Although this decision made headlines, it was not a surprising decision when considering the relevant facts.
Wage Subsidy Extension
June 18, 2020
The extension to the Wage Subsidy has far more clarity than the original, however there are still some areas of potential confusion.
The Work and Income website remains the best source of information, and I have highlighted a few of the key considerations rather than repeat all they have said.
Personal Grievances from Temps Possible
June 18, 2020
Way back, seemingly a lifetime ago, the government introduced the Employment Relations (Triangular Employment) Amendment Bill. On 27 June this Bill comes into law, and will impact organisations who use temps, secondees or third parties to engage labour.
Between a Rock and a Hard Place
April 17, 2020
If your reaction to yesterday’s description of Alert Level 3 was an awful sinking feeling, this Newsfeed is for you. For some industries and businesses you may be planning for how you can return to work if there is a change to Level 3 next week and there will be different information coming for you.
Planning for a Return
April 15, 2020
The government has not said what criteria will be used to determine if we come out of Alert Level 4, although a couple of the factors include the trend and number of new cases, and the source of new cases (community spread being the issue). We have also been told categorically that Alert Level 4 will not be lifted early. The government has however said they will tell us on Monday whether the Alert Level will change. Although not particularly helpful I can understand why. So we are going to have to prepare for all the different possibilities, and communicate this to our teams...
Paying Public Holidays
April 8, 2020
In short, there is no change to how you pay public holidays for Good Friday and Easter Monday. What may have changed is the rate you pay them at, and/or whether the day is now an otherwise working day for the employee.
Here are the basics and the questions that may stem from that....
Key Government Announcements
April 6, 2020
• Wage subsidy for vulnerable employees in essential services
• Payment for Easter Public Holidays
• Changes to the Companies Act; Please remember the changes have not yet been made to the Act, and the government has advised they will be retrospective to Friday 3 April.
The temporary changes include:...
Wage Subsidy not a Panacea
April 3, 2020
Yesterday afternoon Jacinda Ardern (who I think has been demonstrating incredible leadership qualities through this crisis), made a statement that riled me and in my view was irresponsible on a number of levels. It related to the publisher Bauer closing its business in NZ. Ardern appeared to make a dig at the company stating they were asked “if they could take up the wage subsidy. They refused.”
Important Things to Keep in Mind
April 1, 2020
• Minimum Wage Increase 1 April
• Changes to hours and pay must be agreed in writing
• Wage claims can be backdated 6 years
• Distributing the subsidy
• Salary thresholds for Skilled Migrant Resident Visas and Essential Skills Work Visas
Cashflow Forecasts and Making the Hard Decisions
March 31, 2020
I have found the most difficult factor in making any decisions for my business is the uncertainty of how long the close down will continue and when it is lifted, how long will the economic recovery take, and what will customer demand be both in terms of volume and services required.
Subsidy Requirement Changes
March 30, 2020
On Friday afternoon the government announced some changes to the wage subsidy, and the declaration form the employer is required…