News and Publications

We recently hosted Workplace Law Update Workshops across the country, covering recent and upcoming changes in employment, immigration and health and safety.

In summary, we covered the following:

• Increasing minimum entitlements including the new public holiday Matariki, increased sick leave to ten days from 25 July 2021 and changes to bereavement leave which now includes provision for still-birth and miscarriage.
• Fair Pay Agreements, with a new system to be developed allowing bargaining for minimum terms and conditions for workers across an industry or occupation.
• Recommendations from the Holidays Act Taskforce to make changes including to calculations and a new gross earnings definition and changes to minimum entitlements to be available to employees from the start of employment.
• Immigration and compulsory accreditation for employers – this is now set to roll out mid next year and involves a new employer led accreditation scheme which will require all employers who hire migrant workers to be accredited.
• Key changes following the introduction of the Privacy Act 2020 including the requirement for all organizations to have a Privacy Officer and mandatory notification of privacy breaches that are likely to cause serious harm.
• COVID-19 vaccination and health and safety obligations with the vaccine roll out, including when businesses can make vaccination compulsory.

Message for Employers

If you have any questions or would like to chat to one of our team for more information please get in touch. For those of you missed out on attending one of our in person seminars, a recording of our recent Workplace Law Update will be available for purchase on our website soon here https://www.copelandashcroft.co.nz/events/

Disclaimer: We remind you that while this article provides commentary on employment law, health and safety and immigration topics, it should not be used as a substitute for legal or professional advice for specific situations. Please seek legal advice from your lawyer for any questions specific to your workplace.