Union slams New Zealand's Holidays Act reforms anew
Most New Zealanders believe the government's proposed overhaul of holiday and sick leave laws will benefit employers rather than workers, according to a new poll commissioned by the Public Service Association (PSA).
Research commissioned by the PSA found 41% of respondents believe the Employment Leave Bill will favour employers, while only 11% think workers will benefit more.
Among part-time workers, just 10% think the changes will help them, while 45% say it helps employers. Two in three New Zealanders (66%) also said workers whose pay varies week to week should receive the same pay on holiday leave as in a typical working week.
PSA National Secretary Fleur Fitzsimons said the results showed the public was not convinced by the Government's framing of the legislation as a simplification exercise.
"The public overwhelmingly believes the Government's changes to holidays and sick leave under the Employment Leave Bill will benefit employers, not workers," Fitzsimons said. "Far from simplifying the Holidays Act as the Government claims, this Bill sets out to cut the leave of workers."
The PSA argued the changes would disproportionately affect part-time workers, those on variable hours, commission-based sales staff, health workers, and others regularly working beyond contracted hours.
"This all fits the Government's pattern of relentlessly attacking the rights of workers at every step over the past two years. This government is the most anti-worker government that New Zealand has ever seen," Fitzsimons added.
What's under the Employment Leave Bill?
The Employment Leave Bill proposes major changes to the way leave entitlements are earned, taken, and paid, including an hours-based accrual model for annual and sick leave, and a 12.5% upfront leave compensation payment in lieu of annual and sick leave accrual for all additional and casual hours.
Workplace Relations and Safety Minister Brooke van Velden has maintained the Bill addresses genuine problems with the current law.
"The Employment Leave Bill will bring simplicity and logic to the way employment leave is calculated, which benefits businesses by saving them time and money when calculating their payroll obligations, and prevents headaches for both employers and employees from getting payments wrong," van Velden said when the Bill passed its first reading in March.
Employer groups broadly welcomed the legislation.
"The proposed changes will make it fairer and more workable for both employers and employees," said Retail NZ chief executive Carolyn Young.
Ashlea Maley, associate director - operations at Peninsula New Zealand, also noted that the legislation is a welcome step to simplifying "complicated" employment law.
"Overall, simplifying leave calculations and entitlements is a constructive move that will help businesses adapt more easily and reduce the red tape around business operations," Maley said.
