As vaccination rates have become a near daily obsession, employers continue to consider the various legal rights and obligations that intersect at our workplaces.
Employment Relations Authority upholds dismissal of unvaccinated employee
September 2021
9 September 2021
In one of the first decisions relating to the dismissal of an employee refusing vaccination, the Employment Relations Authority (‘the Authority’) released its decision on 1 September 2021 in the case of GF v New Zealand Customs Service [2021] NERA 382.
Employment law still applies to all employment relationships, despite COVID-19 related lockdowns. Both employers and employees must continue to act in good faith and meet minimum legal obligations.
Employment law still applies to all employment relationships, despite COVID-19 related lockdowns. Both employers and employees must continue to act in good faith and meet minimum legal obligations.
The COVID-19 vaccine rollout is well underway in New Zealand. Both employers and employees should understand the guidelines around the vaccine.
The Holidays (Increasing Sick Leave) Amendment Bill received Royal Assent on 24 May 2021, with the changes amending the Holidays Act 2003 coming into effect on 24 July 2021.
Planning to open your business over the Easter or ANZAC holidays?
March 2021
26 March 2021
Regardless of Covid-19 Alert levels, there are some essential rules that apply over the Easter and ANZAC holidays that affect employer obligations to their employees and the ability of shops to trade.
The Government has recently announced amendments to holidays legislation, planned to come into effect in early 2022. The Government has accepted all of the changes recommended by the Holidays Act Taskforce, which was established to suggest improvements to the Holidays Act 2003.
Can an employer force an employee to get the Covid-19 vaccination?
February 2021
16 February 2021
The first batch of Covid-19 vaccines landed on New Zealand shores yesterday (15 February 2021), and it is reported that vaccinations are to begin this Saturday 20 February. The Government have communicated that the frontline workforce will be vaccinated first, for example, border staff and MIQ workers. Vaccine roll-out to the general public is planned to occur in the second half of 2021.
The Employment Court issued its first Covid-19 related decision, Gate Gourmet v Sandhu [2020] NZEmpC 237 on 21 December 2020.
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