Welcome to the HRtoolkit blog, here you’ll find our latest articles and updates. Simply select one of our latest articles or visit a category page for more articles on your topic of interest.
The Employment Relations Act is the central piece of legislation governing employment relationships. It provides a structure for employers, employees and unions to negotiate employment agreements. The Act also outlines the legal process for resolving employment problems including a free mediation service, and avenues for employee’s to take a case
At HRtoolkit, we frequently hear that it’s almost impossible censure or dismiss bad staff in New Zealand, however employment law gives us good framework to manage a misconduct or dismissal process. So, how can you, as an employer, be sure you’ve made a fair and reasonable decision? Here are some
Do you have your goals for this year clearly defined? Whatever they are, from global domination to spending more time on the water, you need to plan to achieve them. As a business owner you will understand the importance of clear goals, but will have also learnt that you need
Following a nationwide investigation, businesses have been warned that they can no longer disguise employees as ‘volunteers’. While the Labour Inspectorate is supportive of genuine volunteering, they have concerns around some volunteering that may stray into an employment relationship. George Mason of the Labour Inspectorate says “Businesses cannot evade their
In December last year, company ‘officers’ were made personally liable for over $135,000 in wages after the companies went into liquidation. In two cases, the employers owed unpaid wages and holiday pay to migrant workers when the companies were liquidated and the director declared bankrupt. Lola Ward of the Labour
The Government has just launched SmartStart, an online tool for new and expectant parents with step-by-step information to help you and your baby get off to the best start. The website integrates information from a range of social development agencies so new parents can: Register their baby Get an IRD
In January the Government announced that the minimum wage will increase by 50 cents to $15.75 from 1 April 2017. The minimum wage for starting-out and training minimum wage will increase from $12.20 to $12.60 per hour – remaining at 80 per cent of the adult minimum wage. For more
We had a huge response to our recent email about key changes to employment law in New Zealand, with a number of requests for more information. With that in mind, we’ve written a more detailed review of the changes. The Government has made key changes to employment Law in New
With the days getting longer and warmer, we are all beginning to focus on a long summer holiday relaxing at the beach. The Christmas period is usually a quiet time for business, and as an employer you may be considering a summer close-down. So, what is a close-down? A close-down
With the festive season fast approaching, many companies already have their staff end-of-year function marked on calendars. The office Christmas party is a great opportunity for you and your staff to enjoy each other’s company. However, there’s also the potential for undesirable behaviour if you don’t manage the event effectively.
