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Employee entitlements

Employees have certain legal entitlements and employers must comply with these requirements. Employee regulations and entitlements cover holidays, pay and wages, leave, paid parental leave, human rights, and employment agreements. This is an introduction to employee entitlements.

What legal rights do employees have? Opens in a new window

All employees in New Zealand have certain legal minimum entitlements to do with holidays, leave, pay, human rights and union membership. Employers must meet these minimum conditions, but they can also choose to provide their employees with better ones

This information is brought to you by Department of Labour

Providing flexible working arrangements to employees Opens in a new window

Employees who are responsible for caring for another person have the right to request flexible working arrangements under the Employment Relations (Flexible Working Arrangements) Amendment Act 2007. And as an employer you must seriously consider a request made by an eligible employee. This information gives an outline of employees’ entitlements and provides answers to some commonly asked questions.

This information is brought to you by Department of Labour

What employers need to know about KiwiSaver Opens in a new window

The KiwiSaver employer guide explains what an employer must do to implement KiwiSaver in their workplace. KiwiSaver is a voluntary, work-based savings initiative which aims to make regular saving for retirement easier for New Zealanders.

This information is brought to you by Inland Revenue

How to get your staff sorted with KiwiSaver online Opens in a new window

Find out more about free resources to help your staff to get sorted with KiwiSaver, available on the online independent money guide 'sorted.org.nz' .

This information is brought to you by sorted.org.nz

A guide to employee holidays and leave Opens in a new window

All employees have a legal entitlement to take holidays and leave. This information will help employers and staff better understand their rights and responsibilities under the Holidays Act, and the Holidays Amendment Act. It includes information on the change to four weeks annual leave, sick leave, bereavement leave, and links to a useful tool to help you work out your entitlements.

This information is brought to you by Department of Labour

Calculate staff holiday entitlements online Opens in a new window

This simple online tool can help employers work out if an employee is entitled to a paid public holiday, sick day or bereavement leave. You can also use it to calculate how much to pay an employee entitled to leave. Developed by the Department of Labour, it covers employee entitlements under the Holidays Act 2003.

This information is brought to you by the Department of Labour

The rights and responsibilities of unions in the workplace Opens in a new window

Do you have unanswered questions about unions? This article looks at all aspects of unions and how their role in the workplace. Find out about good faith relationships, collective bargaining, how union members are affected by holidays and parental leave, and other general union matters.

This information is brought to you by Department of Labour

What employees must be told about parental leave Opens in a new window

Facts and forms that employees are required to give their employees about paid parental leave under the Parental Leave and Employment Protection Act.

This information is brought to you by Department of Labour

Get the facts on the minimum wage Opens in a new window

In New Zealand employees must be paid at least the legal minimum wage of $12 an hour (before tax). The minimum wage generally applies to all workers aged 16 years or older, including home workers, casual, temporary and part-time workers. For some workers aged 16 and 17 years the New Entrants minimum wage of $9.60 an hour (before tax) may apply.

This information is brought to you by Department of Labour

Leave entitlements for health and safety training Opens in a new window

An employer must allow a maximum number of days' leave a year for the training of health and safety representatives. This article explains how you calculate the number of days' leave and has a link to a list of approved courses.

This information is brought to you by Department of Labour

Paid employment education leave for Union members

Under the Employment Relations Act union members who are covered by collective agreements are able to take paid leave for employment relations education (ERE). This article outlines what ERE means for employers.

This information is brought to you by Department of Labour

New Zealand public holiday dates Opens in a new window

A list of public holiday dates for New Zealand between the years of 2006 and 2009.

This information is brought to you by Department of Labour


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New Zealand is the first OECD country to wake. Our working day spans the afternoon on the West Coast of America, part of the Asian day, and ends with breakfast in Europe.