Farmers - are you accidentally paying your employees below minimum wage?
Farming is seasonal; it is a business that creates the need for employees (with their agreement) to work additional hours at different times of the year. When requiring employees to work those additional hours, farmers need to ensure compliance with the Minimum Wage Act 1983, which cannot be contracted out of.
Disability and employment
Disability is one of the prohibited grounds of discrimination provided in the Human Rights Act. This means it is unlawful to refuse to hire someone, or to offer them less favourable terms of employment, purely because they are living with a disability – either physical or psychological.
Covid vaccinations - can my employer make me have one?
Two questions:
- Can my employer force me to get the Covid-19 Vaccine – Unlikely, in most cases no
- Can I ask an applicant for a job if they are vaccinated – Yes
Post-election employment law changes
Significant changes to employment law are on the horizon following Labour’s election victory. These proposed changes are detailed in its Workplace Relations and Safety Manifesto policies. Employers need to ensure that they keep on top of what these changes mean for them.
Personal liability risk
A recent case heard by the Employment Relations Authority serves as a reminder that individuals, officers of companies and partnerships (including anyone who is able to exercise significant influence over the management or administration of these entities) can be held personally liable if the business breaches minimum employment law standards. e.g. fails to pay wages, holiday pay etc.
