Fix Hr

Have you thought about how to address the Modern Slavery Act requirements? Call us to find out more!

We have some very exciting news ...

It's great to see this trend. The public sector is a lead indicator in workplace reform so it will be good to see the changes rolling through the private sector as well.

Gender pay gap in public service plunges to lowest level ever Māori, Pacific pay gaps also hit record lows

Did you know the AEWV rules have changed? If you have any questions, please give us a call - we'd be happy to help.

New AEWV rules in effect | FixHR There has been a change in immigration rules for accredited employers who hire migrant workers on an Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) in New Zealand. The two changes are: Accredited employers are not allowed to use 90-day trial periods in employment agreements for AEWV holders, as this is consid...

While we wait for the new government to form, let's take a look at what it could mean for your small business.

New government! What's ahead? | FixHR As small business owners in New Zealand, it’s important to stay informed about the potential employment and industrial relations changes on the horizon. Here’s a summary of key employment policy proposals from the major political parties. In the first 100 days, the National Party plans to halt p...

Is your team ready for AI? We can help you prepare the right policies and advise on training. Find out more in our latest blog post.

AI is here! What are you doing about it? | FixHR Get HR consultant advice to set up AI policy and practice.

With a $500 per month subsidy, is your business ready for a new hire?

Now is the time to take on an apprentice | FixHR The Apprenticeship Boost scheme that supports both employers and apprentices has been extended until December 2024 so this is a great time to hire.

Gumboot Friday is on 3 November 2023. Are you getting behind this at your workplace?

If you want to get involved, go to https://www.gumbootfriday.org.nz/volunteers

We got the team together for a strategy day and even got one of our clients in on it!

The perfect example of why small businesses need HR support. It's not hard to get it right! Call us on 0800 349470 to find out how.

ERA: Crane operator sacked despite employer's denial Dismissal also 'unjustified,' according to ERA

Having difficult conversations with employees is one of the less fun things about being a manager, but it is a vital aspect of your role. Dealing with sensitive topics like conflicts and performance issues is crucial for building and maintaining a productive and positive work environment.

In this post, we will look into the effective strategies for managing difficult conversations at work, while also complying with NZ employment law.

Difficult conversations at work Having difficult conversations with employees is one of the less fun things about being a manager. Here's how to get it right.

Have you ever wondered if every sick day taken is actually due to sickness? Or is your employee using it as an excuse for a day off to hang out with friends or binge-watch Netflix at home? You are not alone!

Find out how to manage fake sickies in your small business by clicking below.

Fake sick leave | Dealing with fake sickies | How to tell fake sickies Recognising when your staff takes fake sickies is important. They may well be genuinely be ill. Here's how you can tell.

This Monday is the King's Birthday Public Holiday. The official birthday date was set to the first Monday in June to increase the chance of good weather during the birthday celebrations in the UK - King Charles was actually born on November 14, 1948.

Employees are entitled to enjoy a day off work on a public holiday, unless under the terms of the employment agreement they can be required to work on the day. Payment for a public holiday is dependent on whether the day is an otherwise working day for the employee, and whether they worked that day. Contact us if you have any queries about paying your staff for public holidays.

This Friday, 19 May is Pink Shirt Day - a day intended to stop bullying by celebrating diversity and promoting kindness and inclusiveness.
Every year, one in 5 workers in Aotearoa report being bullied in the workplace. As an employer it is your responsibility to take steps so that employees are safe and free from bullying, harassment and discrimination at work.
We include a comprehensive policy in our Employee Handbook but it isn't enough to have policies and wear pink once a year - building a positive workplace culture and promoting respect is essential.
As bullying is a Health and Safety issue, Workplace provide some great free tools and resources https://www.worksafe.govt.nz/topic-and-industry/bullying/good-practice-guidelines-preventing-and-responding-to-bullying-at-work/
There are also some great resources at https://pinkshirtday.org.nz if you will be promoting Pink Shirt Day including those essential cupcake toppers!

The recent BDO report "beyond boom and bust" confirms what we have been seeing with our building industry clients this year. "Uncertainty about the pipeline of future work is greatest amongst smaller operators, and more than a third need more work, or only have sufficient confirmed for the next three months".
The unfortunate upshot is that we are supporting many businesses with restructures - whether it is reducing hours, withdrawing benefits such as company vehicles or making roles redundant. If you are thinking you may need to make changes then don't delay in contacting us. Good faith requires that you act honestly, openly, and without hidden motives and raise issues in a fair and timely way. We are here to help. https://www.stuff.co.nz/business/131739582/construction-industry-with-labour-shortage-faces-uncertainty-over-work

Construction industry with labour shortage faces uncertainty over work More than 40% of building companies surveyed said they only had enough work for the next six months or needed more work.

This case makes for unpleasant reading! It is important to remember that if an employee makes a complaint, you must take it seriously. Never ignore a complaint and hope it goes away.
We aren't suggesting you intervene every time an employee has a disagreement with another, but you must ensure employees aren’t subjected to bullying, harassment, or discrimination and that their working environment is safe and healthy. https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/kncc-construction-boss-tells-assistant-to-dress-sexy-be-showroom-honeytrap/UORT5QSFCVD5ZHBZ6NRGTCMY34/

'Dress sexy': Boss tells assistant she could be showroom 'honeytrap' The Auckland construction company has been ordered to pay nearly $60,000.

Did you know New Zealand is in the top 10 countries with the longest minimum maternity leaves? It's not surprising that we are frequently asked about parental leave as many employers don't understand their obligations. Check out our latest blog to help you understand employee entitlements.

Patental Leave | Managing Paid Parental Leave Payments | Fix HR Managing Paid Parental Leave. An overview of parental leave, primary carer leave, partners leave & special leave. No longer Maternity Leave.

On Tuesday we remember the anniversary of the landing of Australian and New Zealand soldiers – the Anzacs – on the Gallipoli Peninsula in 1915. From 1916, the day was given over to commemoration of the Anzacs who died in this battle. In 1920 the government made the 25th April an official public holiday - the first was marked in 1921. Lest we forget.
Photo from Freepik

The Living Wage is set to rise to $26 per hour from 1 September. This is an increase of 9.9% from the current $23.65 per hour. Paying the Living Wage is voluntary - it is independently calculated and reviewed every 5 years. Employers can choose to go through a robust accreditation process so they can use the Living Wage Employer logo and call themselves a 'Living Wage Employer'. You can find out more at https://www.livingwage.org.nz/

Living Wage Movement Aotearoa New Zealand Paying the Living Wage rate is voluntary. Employers who pay the Living Wage want to make sure their workers get enough money to live with dignity.

Tomorrow sees the increase to the adult minimum wage to $22.70 per hour. The training and starting out minimum wages increase to $18.16. Make sure you have reviewed your contracts and pay systems to implement any necessary changes. This includes ensuring salaries are at a rate equal to, or higher than the minimum wage for each hour worked.

At least the clocks go back on Sunday morning so you'll have an extra hour in your weekend!

It's nearly Easter! A reminder that Good Friday (7 April) and Easter Monday (10 April) are public holidays. All your employees for whom the public holiday would be an otherwise working day, are entitled to a paid public holiday day off.

If your employees work on the public holiday they must be paid time and a half. If the public holiday falls on a day they would usually work they are also entitled to an alternative holiday.

Easter Sunday is NOT a public holiday. However, it is one of the few days a year when there are trading restrictions which may impact your abillty to offer work to your employees. Get in touch with us if you need advice regarding public holiday pay.

The theme for this year’s International Women’s Day is . When it comes to equity in the workplace, pay is an important place to start. Pay equity is about fairness at work. It means making sure that women and people from other traditionally underrepresented and marginalised backgrounds are not paid less for doing the same work.

Until the Equal Pay Act 1972, it was legal to set separate rates of pay for men and women and exclude women from certain types of work. The introduction of equal pay and anti-discrimination legislation has improved women’s pay rates and access to jobs. However, women’s earnings are still less than men’s, and women are still in different types and levels of jobs.

In 2022, research has shown men earn on average 10% more than women in New Zealand and across the country, women are under-represented in higher-level jobs. In fact, many women are employed in industries where more than 80% of the workers are women. These occupations tend to be lower paid.

On IWD we challenge you to look at your data and see if there are pay gaps. Talk to us about measures you can take to Equity in your workplace.

Apparently it's the last day of summer although I'm not sure it ever arrived!

From yesterday, 27 February, the new wage threshold for migrant employees of $29.66 up from $27.76 came into effect. This rate matches the national median wage. It applies to those on Accredited Employer Work visas, residence visa categories and green list occupations. There are some exceptions until April to those in hospitality and tourism roles. From April those roles must be paid at $28.18 and in April 2024 all roles will have to be paid at the full median wage.

Coming this Autumn is the increase to the minimum wage on 1 April. The adult minimum wage will be $22.70, an increase of $1.50 per hour. The training and starting out minimum wages will also increase to $18.16 per hour (currently $16.96).

Please get in touch if you have any queries regarding pay.

Following the devastating effects of Cyclone Gabrielle, there’s still time to access a Civil Defence payment through Work and Income. These payments are available whenever a Civil Defence emergency has been declared. If you or your family have been directly affected by the recent weather events, you may be eligible for support. You can find out more at https://www.workandincome.govt.nz/products/a-z-benefits/civil-defence-payment.html

Civil Defence Payment - Work and Income If there's an emergency event (e.g. flooding or an earthquake), we can make Civil Defence payments available. If you've been affected by an emergency event and these payments are available, you may be able to get one.

For our clients and friends impacted by the extreme weather, our thoughts are certainly with you.

A couple of FYIs below:

You can find Auckland Emergency Management updates at https://www.aucklandemergencymanagement.org.nz/major-incident/flooding-2023

Insurance companies are advising to photograph and keep everything, unless it is a health hazard, until claims can be dealt with.

Consider contacting your bank for potential mortgage suspension and/or a temporary overdraft. ASB, BNZ, Westpac and Kiwibank have stated this is how they will support businesses at this difficult time.

Please contact our advice line on 09 393 3557 if we can be of any assistance.

Flooding 2023 The Auckland region has experienced widespread damage from flooding and torrential rain, with reports of slips and inundation. Infrastructure and emergency services alike have been overwhelmed by the impacts of the storm.

We are thinking of our Auckland clients and friends while they continue to deal with the effects of this severe weather.
Please contact us if you need any HR assistance at this time. You can read about your options and obligations during a natural disaster in our blog: https://www.fixhr.co.nz/supporting-employees-after-a-natural-disaster-or-emergency/

Supporting Employees After a Natural Disaster or Emergency | FixHR Bad weather or earthquakes can impact your business. Read how to support your employees after a natural disaster or emergency.

Happy New Year. Can you believe it's 2023? If your resolution was to get on top of your HR this year then get in touch as we'd love to help. There is a lot of change heading our way, particularly with the Holidays Act. You have enough to worry about running your business, so let us take the stress out of employment matters. It's what we do!

Networking. Proven to help drive success but often regarded with distaste or fear. Read our latest blog with practical advice and tips on how to network like a 'pro.'

Network Your Business Like a Pro | FixHR Networking is an essential part of running a small business. A study by the Harvard Business Review found that the success of a group of lawyers depended on their ability to network effectively both internally and externally. But it can be intimidating for those who are not used to putting themselve...