news and events

With the Ministry of Business Innovation and Employment overrun with employment disputes arising out of the COVID-19 response, judgements have begun to emerge from the Employment Relations Authority answering some important questions regarding the correct approach to the impact of lockdown on employee entitlements.

While it seems from current polling that post 17 October 2020 New Zealand will continue to have a Labour led government , if 2020 has taught us anything, it’s that nothing in politics is guaranteed and things can change suddenly. With the election looming we thought we would take a quick look at what the political parties intend to put in place should they end up in power.

We have been advised that MBIE’s Mediation Services are inundated with mediation applications as a result of COVID-19 and that delays are to be expected. Employers (and employees) can expect a wait time of up to six weeks before receiving contact about setting down a date for mediation, with the exception of urgent matters (for example if the employee is still employed or there is an urgent interim injunction/reinstatement application).

As you may have already seen, our employment law team here at Lane Neave has launched an innovative podcast series “Let’s Talk: Employment Law” discussing the latest in New Zealand employment law to support your management of the greatest resource in your business – your people.

Today, 24 August 2020, the Prime Minister announced that the current Alert Level restrictions would continue for a further week and the following week would see the whole country at Alert Level 2. This status means contact tracing requirements continue in place.

The Minister of Finance yesterday announced a number of changes to the Business Finance Guarantee Scheme (Scheme), in the hope that loan made under the Scheme (BFGS Loans) will now be available to more businesses.

With Auckland in Level 3 and the rest of the country in Level 2, this is a good time to reflect on what we have learnt from an employment law perspective during the last lockdown and in the subsequent cases.

On 17 August 2020 Finance Minister Grant Robertson announced a new nationwide ‘resurgence’ wage subsidy for employers who are financially impacted by the resurgence of COVID-19 and resulting change in alert levels.

As the COVID-19 lockdown hit and New Zealand morphed into what felt like a scene from an apocalyptic movie, employees retreated home, via a “grab and dash” for stationary, laptops and oversized televisions.

At 11:59am Wednesday 12 August 2020 the COVID-19 Public Health Response (Alert Levels 3 and 2) Order 2020 came into effect (Order). Among other matters, the Order sets out requirements for contact tracing.