Employment Blog

On Monday 30 November 2020, WorkSafe New Zealand filed charges in the Auckland District Court against 13 parties over the Whaakari/White Island eruption which occurred on 9 December 2019.

The Government has announced plans to double sick leave entitlement for employees, which may be in place by late next year.

On 27 June 2020 the law changed to protect employees who are legally employed by one employer but carry out their day-to-day work under the direction of another business or organisation. These employees are now able to hold their day-to-day employer responsible for their actions through the enactment of the Employment Relations (Triangular Employment) Amendment Act 2019.

Partners Troy Wano, Alice Tocher and Associate Rebecca Eaton joined Venture Taranaki for the 'Ahead of the Curve' webinar last Thursday 7 May. Venture Taranaki in partnership with the Regional Business Partner Network presented - Business Continuity: What local businesses should be considering to ensure business continuity through Alert Levels 3, 2 and beyond.

GQ Insight As we approach and contemplate our collective preparedness for a move to Level-3, it is difficult not to pause and also contemplate as to how much has changed since 25 March 2020. From the relative safety of our homes (which for many of us have also doubled as our new/temporary workspaces), much has likely changed in terms of the way we work.

The words “redundancy” and “restructure” have always set an ominous tone in any workplace. Covid-19 clearly has not diminished that, but nor has it diminished the responsibilities of employers to their staff during a restructure.

While we will not know until next week whether New Zealand will stay in a Level 4 lockdown or whether we will progress to Level 3, yesterday the Government provided some guidance around what life and work will look like at Level 3.

GQ Insight The general principles governing an employee’s right to be paid in accordance with their employment agreement are being tested by the COVID-19 pandemic.

GQ Insight Good faith, a term commonly used by employment lawyers, but likely a term that will gain in prominence as the nation comes to terms with the impact of Covid-19.

Last Friday 27 March, the Government announced further amendments to the Wage Subsidy Scheme, effective from 4pm that day. In particular, a number of modifications were made to the declaration required to be made by anyone applying for the wage subsidy including employers.