The New Zealand Government has announced it is proceeding with a new Fair Pay Agreement system with implementation in 2022. Fair Pay Agreements (FPAs) aim to create industry-wide pay deals setting minimum standards for all employees and employers within that industry. FPAs would be bargained between unions and employer groups. What does the new FPA system look like? Under the new legislation, FPA negotiations could be…
On 25 July 2018, New Zealand finalised legislation that will give workers who are victims of domestic violence the right to paid leave and other employment law protections. The Domestic Violence – Victims’ Protection Bill has passed its third reading in Parliament and will come into force on 1 April 2019. The Bill provides for flexible working for victims of domestic violence, ten days’ domestic…
Following the general election in September last year, the new Government has signaled changes to legislation governing the 90-day trial period for new employees. These changes differ from the measures proposed under Labour’s election policy, which included the introduction of referees who would be able to reinstate or award limited damages to employees unjustifiably dismissed during a trial period. 90-day trial periods The Government’s Bill…
In August the Employment Court released its first decision on so-called ‘availability provisions’, whereby an employee must be on standby to work any hours the employer requires them to work, but on the other hand, they can only work if the employer gives them work to do. This arrangement is common in ‘zero-hours contracts’ and section 67D of the Employment Relations Act 2000 was introduced…