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The minimum wage has been increased so adjust your payroll. Median wage for Green List and Work Visas is also up. Auckland Employment Lawyer for help.
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Minimum wage and median wage set to increase

Minimum wage will increase by $1.50 per hour from 1 April 2023, and the median wage will increase to $29.66 per hour from 27 February 2023. The new median wage will apply to all Job Check and Accredited Employer Work Visa applications.
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A sexual harassment bill gives staff more time to lodge a PG. Restraint of Trade changes for mid-tier staff. Call an Auckland Albany Employment Lawyer.
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Potential Changes Ahead to Sexual Harassment Claims and Restraints of Trade

As well as potential changes to the Holidays Act, see last year's article Changes on the way for the Holidays Act, there are potential changes on the horizon in relation to sexual harassment claims and restraint of trade provisions. We have outlined the details below.
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Many firms closedown over Christmas. How do you deal with the complex holiday rules? Errors can be expensive. Check with an Auckland employment lawyer
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The bells are ringing, it's nearly Christmas - managing annual leave over the Christmas period

The countdown to Christmas is on. Many workplaces in New Zealand are planning their annual closedown over the Christmas period. This will likely mean that many employers are attempting to navigate the complexities of the Holidays Act 2003. We have set out to answer some frequently asked questions during this time of the year.
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Many firms employ contractors but those people can actually be regarded as employees. This affects the employer. Read the views of an Auckland employment lawyer
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Do You Have Independent Contractors and Do You Work in the Construction Industry?

The construction industry often engages independent contractors, rather than employees. There is clearly a need for contractors in the industry, but in some situations, contractors are engaged because they are often seen as easier to engage than employees. This is often because a company can end a contractor's contract by giving notice, contractors do not receive annual leave or sick leave and are not entitled to minimum wage.
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Can employers make staff take annual leave during closures like lockdowns? Can they reclaim their wages? An Auckland employment lawyer explains your obligations
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Requiring Employees to Take Annual Leave

The Employment Court recently issued a decision relating to whether employers were entitled to require employees to take annual leave during the Covid-19 lockdown in April 2020. Three employees brought a case against Carter Holt Harvey LVL Limited ("the Company") after the Company told staff that they would need to take eight days leave during the lockdown in April 2020.
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Exploiting migrants in the workplace is too common, as bad employers take advantage of immigrant workers. Talk to an Auckland employment lawyer for help.
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Migrant Exploitation and Employment Premiums

Exploitation in the workplace could exist in many forms and could happen to any employee, whether you are a migrant or otherwise. However, it is observed that foreigners are more vulnerable to becoming victims of exploitation due to their unfamiliarity with the relevant laws and not knowing their rights as employees in New Zealand. This is why workplace exploitation is more commonly referred to as 'migrant exploitation'.
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Employers have big problems with staffing. Labour shortages and retention are big issues. An Auckland employment lawyer ahs tips on how to achieve both. Click
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The Great Resignation

You will likely have heard the term "The Great Resignation". Over the last few months we have had a number of clients approach us for ideas and wanting to know how they can set their organisation apart from others in order to retain staff.
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New Act for workplace personal grievance (PG) includes contractors, third-parties and employers. Call Auckland 377 9966, Manukau 262 0330, North Shore 415 4477
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Workplace Personal Grievance Options Expanded Under New Law - Employment Relations (Triangular Employment) Amendment Act 2019

On 27 June 2020 the Employment Relations (Triangular Employment) Amendment Act 2019 ("the Act") came into force. The Act aims to provide protection to those in triangular employment relationships. Typically, a triangular relationship exists where a person is employed by a labour hire company/recruitment agency, and works under the control and direction of another entity (a controlling third party).
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The proposed Income Insurance Scheme will have effects for employees and employers. See how you might be affected - Auckland employment lawyer. Click here
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The Proposed Income Insurance Scheme

Last week the New Zealand Government, supported by Business New Zealand and the Council of Trade Unions ("NZCTU"), released a proposal on an income insurance scheme ("the scheme") – one of its biggest reforms since the introduction of ACC in the 1970s. McVeagh Fleming's employment team have summarised the 'need to know' information.
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The Fair Pay Agreement Bill will have far-reaching effects on employers and staff across some industry groups. Find out if your sector is affected. Click here.
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The Fair Pay Agreements Bill - What to Expect

On 29 March 2022, Parliament introduced the Fair Pay Agreement Bill ("the Bill") coined to the "biggest shakeup to workplaces in generation coming from government". The Bill has recently passed its first reading. Despite this, a number of people have expressed their reservations with the newly proposed system such as National Party's Paul Goldsmith stating that the Bill may make New Zealand less internationally competitive and add pressure to already stressed businesses.
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Firms are under pressure to reduce staff numbers. Redundancy must follow strict laws to be legal. Call Auckland 377 9966, Manukau 262 0330, North Shore 415 4477
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Reducing the Size of Your Staff?

In the current Covid-19 environment we are seeing a significant increase in the number of redundancies. We have set out briefly below a few points to bear in mind if you are thinking about making roles redundant.
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To dismiss an employee, you must have good records and the correct method. Rocket Lab paid $97,000 for the wrong process. Auckland employment lawyer 377 9966
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Rocket Lab Ordered to Pay $97,000.00 to an Employee

This week the Employment Relations Authority ordered Rocket Lab Limited ("Rocket Lab") to pay $97,000.00 to an employee for an unjustified dismissal. Mr Owen was employed by Rocket Lab in January 2018 as a Vehicle Test Manager. Rocket Lab did not give Mr Owen an induction, he was essentially expected to 'get on with it'.
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Medical incapacity of an employee

Medical incapacity of an employee

Medical incapacity of an employee is a challenge that demands a delicate balance between empathy and practicality. Determining when to draw the line on a long-term illness and how long to keep a job open for a sick employee is a challenging task shaped by case law intricacies. Employers are not expected to hold a position indefinitely but they must follow a fair process before terminating an employee’s employment.
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The Impact of the Upcoming Election on Employment Law in New Zealand

The Impact of the Upcoming Election on Employment Law in New Zealand

We are fast approaching New Zealand's General Election, and the nation's political parties have hit the campaign trail with their visions for the country. Changes are expected not only in the political sphere but also in employment and workplace relations. This article discusses the political parties' campaign promises and provides an overview of some of the parties' plans for the future, with a note that the list is not exhaustive
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Proposed Changes to KiwiSaver Contributions: What Employers Need to Know

Proposed Changes to KiwiSaver Contributions: What Employers Need to Know

Is your company deducting the Employer KiwiSaver contribution from your employees' pay? A new Bill, introduced to Parliament on 8 June 2023, aims to revolutionize the employer's role in KiwiSaver contributions.
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Extension of Time for Sexual Harassment Claims is now Law

Extension of Time for Sexual Harassment Claims is now Law

The Employment Relations (Extended Time for Personal Grievance for Sexual Harassment) Amendment Bill ("the Bill") has now become law.
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A Reminder of the Duty to Consider Redeployment

A Reminder of the Duty to Consider Redeployment

One of the considerations that employers need to make when undertaking a restructure and making roles redundant, is whether there are any redeployment opportunities for the impacted employees. See our previous article on restructures, which noted that, "During the consultation phase, you must consider and discuss with the employee whether there are any redeployment opportunities for them within the business, or if there are alternatives to redundancy, such as reducing hours or taking a period of leave".
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