Employment rights 2019

More changes to employment rights are due to come into effect this year (2019) following Government legislation updates.

Alongside the Employment Relations Amendment Act (more info here), employers will need to be aware of additional employment rights under the Domestic Violence - Victim Protections' Act, Parental Leave and Employment Protection Act and minimum wage increases under the Minimum Wage Act.

We've put together the following breakdown of changes and when they take effect below:

Legislation
         Changes

Minimum Wage 

 

 

  • Minimum wage increased to $16.50 an hour on 1 April 2018
  • Minimum wage increase to $17.70 on 1 April 2019
  • Minimum wage increase to $18.90 in April 2020
  • Government committed to raising the minimum wage to $20 by April 2021

Parental Leave 

 

 

 

 

 

Effective from 1 July 2018:

  • Paid parental leave increased to 22 weeks
  • Keeping in touch days increased to 52 hours

Effective from 1 July 2020:

  • Paid parental leave will increase to 26 weeks
  • Keeping in touch days will increase to 60 hours

 

Domestic Violence – Victims Protection Act

 

 

Effective from 1 April 2019:

  • 10 days paid domestic violence leave every 12 months
  • Employee right to request flexible working
  • New ground of personal grievance and discrimination

This article is not intended as legal advice but is intended to alert you to current topics of interest. For further advice about responding to the employment relations changes within your organisation please call (03) 366 4034 or email info@eqconsultants.co.nz

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