Business Restructures - Get it Right
Employers often look to restructures when economic uncertainty is looming. With that in mind it is vital employers fully understand their legal requirements if looking to restructure and make staff changes.
The Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV)
On 4 July 2022, Immigration New Zealand introduced the new Accredited Employer Work Visa. In short, where genuine skill or labour shortages exist, accredited employers can hire skilled migrant workers using the AEWV.
This Visa requires employers who are wanting to employ migrants to become accredited. Once accredited, the employer can invite migrants to apply for the job which will allow the migrant to apply for a visa within NZ, including through the new Accredited Employer Work Visa.
What should I be paid if I am on call on a public holiday?
The rules for paying an employee who is on call on a public holiday are set out in the Employment Relations Act 2000. What has to be paid depends on a number of factors including whether the employee was or was not called in to work on the public holiday, and if not called in to work, whether the conditions and restrictions of the call-out arrangement limited the employees activities.
Gloriavale Children - Not Volunteers but Employees
The Employment Court was recently asked to consider a case brought by three former members of the Gloriavale community who were seeking a declaration that they were employees (and not unpaid volunteers) while they had been conducting work in the community. After assessing all facts of the scenario, the Court made the declaration that the former members were employees.
Fair Pay Agreement Bill
The Fair Pay Agreement Bill recently passed its first reading in Parliament. This Bill, if enacted into law, may result in the biggest shake up to the employment sector since the Employment Contracts Act 1991.
