April 2008 Employers Newsletter

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New Entrants law (Minimum Wage) came into force 1st April 2008 – be careful, there's a trap.
Many employers are under the impression the 'entitlement period' or 'qualifying period' (200 hours or 3 months whichever is the earlier) starts on 1st April 08
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The Minimum Wage and Remuneration Amendment Bill
There is before parliament a private members bill called the 'Minimum Wage and Remuneration Amendment Bill', introduced by Darien Fenton, Labour List Member
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Public Holidays law has changed
Swapping Public Holidays - it used to be thought permissible, with the agreement of the employee and the employer, to observe a public holiday on a different day, providing the employee entitlements were paid as though the alternative day was in fact a Public Holiday
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KiwiSaver calculations and rules
From 1 April 2008 employers will be partially reimbursed for their KiwiSaver contribution with a matching tax credit up to a maximum of $20 per week per employee. The tax credit is claimed by the employer on the PAYE return
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Breastfeeding rest breaks and facilities to be provided by employers
This Bill seeks to address the area of adequate protections for breastfeeding. But do we need a law telling women that they are allowed to breastfeed in public? I think not.
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Health & Safety prosecutions alarm Employers & Contractors
Employers need to be aware of Health & Safety issues when contracting. The Act (1992) insists 'employers, principals & persons in control of a place of work' take all practicable steps to ensure that employees, contractors, sub-contractors and their employees are not harmed while working. Employers cannot contract out of the obligation.
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