What to know about public holidays
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: You can only require a team member to work on a public […]
5 things to remember about annual leave
Managing staff isn’t just about what happens at work; it’s also about managing holidays. As an employer, you’re responsible for keeping accurate up-to-date records about much-deserved time off. 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 […]
Quick guide to employment basics
Managing your team involves understanding your legal obligations. Here’s a simple rundown of the key employment responsibilities under New Zealand law. Back to basicsUnder New Zealand law, employers must: Rest breaksEmployees need regular rest and meal breaks. For people working eight hours or longer, two 10-minute breaks and an unpaid 30-minute lunch break are required. […]
What new migrant worker law means for your business
Do you employ migrant workers? You need to be aware of the Worker Protection (Migrant and Other Employees) Act, which comes into force on January 6. The law, which amends the Immigration Act 2009, Employment Relations Act 2000 and Companies Act, will introduce a tough penalty regime to deter the exploitation of migrant staff. What […]
What’s the difference between employees and contractors?
Does your business use both employees and contractors? It’s important to distinguish between them as they are paid and taxed differently. Despite what you may call the individual concerned, that description is not definitive. If the status of the worker is questioned in the Employment Court or Employment Relations Authority, for example, the Employment Relations […]
Fair Pay Agreements – what you need to know
New fair pay agreements (FPA) law came into effect on December 1 last year, marking the biggest shakeup in New Zealand employment in decades. Six months on, how could your business be affected? What’s an FPA?The new fair pay agreements law allows employees to bargain collectively for industry- or occupation-wide minimum employment terms, such as […]
Should your business go ‘remote-first’?
Since the last of New Zealand’s lockdowns, many businesses have ditched remote working for good. But what are the benefits of taking a ‘remote-first’ approach? Around the world, an increasing number of companies are making remote working the default option for staff, abandoning the office completely in favour of a more flexible model. With a […]
