Following the introduction of Matariki in 2022, employees in New Zealand get 12 public holidays a year. But what happens if your business needs to stay open on a national holiday?
When employees work all or part of a public holiday, businesses must:
- pay staff at least time and a half for the hours they work, and
- if the day is one they would normally have worked, give them an alternative holiday/a day in lieu.
You can only require a team member to work on a public holiday if it falls on a day they would usually be working and their employment agreement requires them to work the public holiday.
Labour Day is on the way
New Zealand’s next public holiday is Labour Day on Monday 28 October. If you have any questions about annual leave and public holiday entitlements, please get in touch.
Disclaimer: This blog has been carefully prepared, but it has been written in general terms only. The blog should not be relied upon to provide specific information without also obtaining appropriate professional advice after detailed examination of your particular situation.
