News

Many economists are predicting difficult global market conditions in 2016, and this has been borne out already in some sectors including dairy farming.  Given this, having to make people redundant for whatever reason may be a possibility for many businesses. 

Associate Transport Minister Craig Foss announced in a Press Release this week that mandatory drug and alcohol testing will be introduced for the commercial aviation and maritime sectors by 2017.  Employers in these sectors will be required to undertake random drug testing, and to implement a drug and alcohol management plan approved by either the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) or Maritime New Zealand (MNZ).

Copeland Ashcroft employment law specialist Charlie Arms-Harris speaks to Jonny Turner on the Hokonui Muster around Mondayisation of public holidays and staff leave entitlements coming into the festive season.

LISTEN HERE 

25 November 2015

Media release - Copeland Ashcroft Law

Recent events are a timely reminder that farmers and growers need to be vigilant when hiring migrant workers and ensure they have their paperwork in order, says employment law specialist from Copeland Ashcroft Law, Charlie Arms-Harris.

Arms-Harris is referring to the recent Filipino migrant worker false documentation scam, where Filipino dairy farms sold fake work experience documents for up to NZ$15,000.

The Health and Safety Reform Bill passed its final reading in New Zealand Parliament on Thursday, August 28, 2015. As a result, a new Health and Safety at Work Act will come into force on the 4th April 2016.

It is the first significant reform of New Zealand’s health and safety legislation in 20 years.

Employment Standards Bill introduced to Parliament

An Employment Standards Bill which proposes to  protect vulnerable workers and tackle harmful anti-competitive behaviour to create a level playing field for all businesses was introduced to NZ Parliament by Workplace Relations and Safety Minister Michael Woodhouse on Thursday 13th of August 2015.

“The changes aim to better support families by recognising the diversity of modern work and family arrangements and making it easier for parents to stay connected to the workforce.” Mr Woodhouse said.

Lucia Vincent, Senior Solicitor*
NZISM Otago Branch Seminar - 2 July 2015

Bullying hurts.  Most know the sting of a hurtful jibe or playful punch.  Being teased as a child forced me to grow a thick skin.  I don’t wince if someone calls me freckle face anymore.  But it becomes more sinister when adults are involved; especially at work where many of us spend most of our waking day.  Why should employers care?  And what does it have to do with health and safety? 

A private member Amendment Bill proposing to extend the minimum wage rate to independent contractors is being reviewed by New Zealand Parliament. The Bill was introduced to Parliament on Wednesday 22nd July 2015 by Labour MP David Parker and was scheduled to have its first reading later this evening.

This Bill proposes to extend the Minimum Wage Rate Act 1983 to include independent contractors which would allow them to get paid a rate equal to the current minimum wage.   

The New Zealand Government is considering the addition of a corporate manslaughter offence to the Health and Safety Reform Bill currently before Parliament.

In 2012, on the back of two of New Zealand’s largest industrial tragedies, the Pike River Mine explosion and the CTV building collapse in Christchurch, proposals were presented in Parliament to discuss the introduction of a corporate manslaughter charge to the Crimes Act 1961.

The intricacies of employment and mediation-mandated confidentiality agreements have recently been in the public spotlight after former Conservative Party leader Colin Craig remarked that, if a confidentiality agreement with his ex-press secretary were to be lifted, then the public could finally find out what had or “had not” actually happened between them, in the recent case involving Craig.