The Employment Relations Amendment Act 2014 came into effect on 6 March 2015. Here are some of the key day-to-day changes:
1. Flexible working arrangements:
- Employees have a statutory right to request flexible working arrangements that were previously confined to care givers.
- Employees can ask for flexible working arrangements from their first day on the job and as many times as they want.
- Employees can make as many requests as they want.
- Employers must respond to a request within 1 month, in writing and explain any refusal.
2. Rest and meal breaks:
- General rights replace strict rules for employee rest and meal breaks.
- Employers can make reasonable restrictions on rest and meal breaks.
- Employers must provide reasonable compensation where they cannot reasonably give breaks – the employer cannot fail to give either.
- Rest breaks must be paid.
- Any other law requiring breaks takes priority over the Act.
3. Negotiating in good faith:
- Employers and employees are encouraged to negotiate in good faith regarding flexible working arrangements and meal and rest breaks.
- Employers must give an employee relevant information where they are proposing to make a decision that will or is likely to have an adverse effect on the continuation of that employee’s employment i.e. during a restructure or sale of a business.
If you have any questions or would like to take steps to comply please call 04 472 9632 or email richard.chiu@slaw.co.nz