Employment Law in New Zealand

December 7th, 2011

In New Zealand, employers are required to give an employment agreement to every employee and this indicates their responsibilities and entitlements. New Zealand employment law is also based on the concept of good faith and the expectation is that employers, employees and unions are to act fairly and honestly and they are encouraged to settle any issues that arise among themselves. Employment law in New Zealand has many information sources if you have any queries.

There are several commonly asked questions; the first main question is about New Zealand’s holidays and leave. Every employee is entitled to four weeks of annual leave each year, and your employer can require you to use this annual leave during the yearly “closedown period” that normally happens around the Christmas and New Year period. Some of the New Zealand public holidays include Christmas and New Years Day, Waitangi Day which is on the 6th of February, ANZAC Day which is on the 25th of April and Labour Day. If you work on a day that is a public holiday you are entitled to extra pay and an extra day off. You are also given a minimum level of sick leave which is five paid days per year and three days of bereavement leave.

Another commonly asked question revolves around the minimum wage in New Zealand. As of April 2011 the minimum wage for an adult is $13.00 an hour and this applies to all workers over the age of sixteen. All New Entrant employees under the age of eighteen receive a minimum wage of $10.40 and after they have worked two hundred hours they will receive the adult minimum wage.

A new employment law in New Zealand was passed in April 2011 called the 90 Day Trial Period and this means that all employers can hire an employee for a three month trial period. In a normal employment situation, employees go through a series of meetings, warnings and training before they are dismissed. However, under this new law, an employer can dismiss a worker who is not working out as long as it is within the three month trial period. It is important to note that the trial period is voluntary and it must be set out in writing and signed by both parties. Another topic that is commonly questioned is the work/life balance issue. The Employment Relations (Flexible Working Arrangements) Amendment 2007 provides a framework for those employees who have been working at the same work place for more than six months and have care or charge of another person to request flexible hours. This law also obligates the employer to consider the request.

Posted in Employment Law

Unemployment Survival Tips

December 2nd, 2011

Losing a job is one of the most unfortunate things one can ever experience. It can make you worry about lots of things such as your monthly bills, health insurance, and grocery stuffs. If you have been a victim of a wrongful termination recently and feels like you are nowhere to go, the following are some of the things you may want to consider to keep yourself going while joblessness is blocking your way.

Get Your Final Compensation

Every employee is entitled to a final paycheck. The state law requires an employer to issue a final paycheck to the employee immediately, may it be the next business day, the next payday, or within a certain amount of days. In some states, the employee may be entitled to compensation for unused vacation time. Severance package may also be given to an employee as an additional compensation. However, under the state law, an employer is not obliged to give severance pay. A severance pay will only be granted if it is stated in the written contract, if an employee handbook documented the employer’s policy for severance pay, or if the employer has said it verbally.

File for Unemployment Compensation

The state law allows any unemployed worker to accumulate unemployment compensation if the termination was not due to delinquency that was intentional and repetitive, the employment was for a certain amount of time, the worker received a certain amount of salary, the worker is capable of working immediately, and the worker is physically able of working.

Healthcare Coverage

Former employees have the right to continue a healthcare coverage for up to 18 months or longer, depending on the employer’s plan. This is under the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA) of 1986. The previous employee must fully-pay the damages but the cost is actually cheaper than obtaining coverage of your own.

Apply for a Part-time Job

A part-time job will provide you income temporarily. While looking for a full-time work, you can consider doing handy work, baby sitting or house sitting. In this case, you will still become productive while waiting for the update of your permanent job application.

Remove Unnecessary Expenses

You will probably know the importance of saving in times of unemployment. Every single cent counts and you will not have the guts to spend for needless commodities and activities. Sort out your grocery list. Buy stuffs that are of high significance. Do not engage in activities which used to be part of your leisure time. Be more practical.

Do not Commit to New Debts

If you do not have any important monetary matters to spend to, do not acquire debts because it will just lead you to bigger financial dilemmas. It is vital for you to impose strict budgeting to manage your lifestyle.

Posted in Employment Law