Essential HR Articles

Articles by Mike Johnson

Essential People Management Workshops

- June 2011 - Dec 2011

Mike Johnson* of Essential HR Ltd is delivering a series of workshops addressing a range of people management issues and needs. Specifically designed for small to medium businesses, each workshop provides the documents participants need; some practical application and the necessary knowledge to continue to apply them. There is a significant focus on supporting participants to apply it personally.

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Essential News

- June 2011

Legal changes re Employment Agreements; Struggling to Recover from the Earthquakes – offers of help; Free Workshops; Stress and Staff management; Managing Change in these times of uncertainty
Essential topics for current times!
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Earthquake 2011 Advice

- March 2011

What should I pay staff? When must I announce redundancies? What happens if an employee can't get to work? What is "resaonable" after an earthquake? How can I access my business in the CBD?
Mike Johnson gives answers and ongoing guidance
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Workshops March 9 and 10

- February 2011

Improve the effectiveness of your recruitment and learn some tested means of retaining good staff
Book now to avoid disappointment
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Sleepovers Court Case Ruling

- February 17, 2011

In the Idea Services (IHC) court case, the Appeal Court has come out strongly and unanimously in agreement with the Employment Court, and declared “sleepovers” to be work.
What are the details and how might it affect you?
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Essential People Management Workshops

- January 2011

Highly interactive workshops focused on practical solutions to compliance and people management issues for SMEs
The first two in this series focus on needs related to current legal changes
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Essential News – legal update

- January 2011

This summarises key updates to the Employment Relations Act and the Holidays Act - for smaller businesses

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Essential News

- November 2010

Legal developments (Employment Relations Act; Immigration Act; Jury Duty) Court Case Updates (Employment Agreements; Trial Periods; Parental Leave; Criminal Convictions) Managing Casual Staff
An example of my regular news update
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Do employers have to pay their employees when they aren’t working after the Earthquake?

- 10 September 2010

1. Check your employment agreements. 2. Where the workplace is not operational. 3. Where the work place is operational but staff are away from work because of their own personal situation. 4. What if my business has to close permanently?

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Managing Staff after the Earthquake

- 8 September 2010

Financial Assistance for salaries - WINZ What are the banks doing? Psychology - helping the whole person

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Essential News – November 2009

- December 2009

In this edition: Inflation and Wage/Salary increases EEO Trust Work & Life Awards 2009 Legal Update Changes to Driving laws Flexible Working and Breaks Redundancy Court Case Update Need for evidence of agreements or warnings Forced removal of employee from property When an employee shows a clear pattern of failing to comply with rules Employee ignorance of details of policy
A monthly news update
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Personal Grievance Consultation

- March 2010

The government is taking consultation over possible changes to Personal Grievance processes. To make it easier for small businesses to particiapate I am conducting a survey to elicit the main points. If you wish to participate click here: Click here to take survey
Add your voice to those who want changes
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Just how practical is a 9-day Working Fortnight for Small Businesses?

- 18 March 2009

The government has designed a Job Support Scheme for larger companies that is decoupled from training, so what might work as a practical alternative for smaller businesses?
As reported in The Press
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Trials, Probations and just good common-sense Recruitment

- 11 March 2009

How should we use the 90 day trial, probation and recruitment to get the best staff?
As reported in The Press
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The National Impact!

- 16 December 2008

Our new government has certainly wasted no time! Already we have the enacted results of many of their promised employment-related changes. But just what do they mean?
Trial Periods; Tax Changes and KiwiSaver
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Employment-Related Developments Oct 08

- October 2008

Numerous changes have taken place - How are you faring?
Tax Rate Changes; New Entrant Minimum Wages limited; KiwiSaver ideas; Flexibility and break times; Diversity; Consultation process
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1 April 2008 Changes

- April 2008

Minimum Wage changes, KiwiSaver developments and Legal cases in favour of Employers

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Recruiting Successfully In 2008

- November 2007

Most companies will need to recruit next year, but just how well set up are you to succeed, given the environment that you will face? I have recently had the privilege of listening to a couple of speakers consider related issues and thought I’d share the benefits of some of what I learnt.
This article explores how to become more attractive to potential younger employees; I will write later about targeting specific sectors of the workforce.
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Flexible Work Arrangements

- August 2007

Yet another thing for Employers to be concerned about next year! From 1 July 2008, if the latest recommendations are accepted into law, all Employers will need to comply with Flexible Work provisions in the Employment Relations Act.
So what does this mean and what should you be doing to prepare for it?
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Hints on Effective Leadership

- June 2007

Useful ideas gathered from Thrive Mainland
Some great quotes and food for thought
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KiwiSaver

- July 2007

What you need to do as an Employer
Hope this helps
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Budget 2007

- June 2007

Budget Implications for your Human Resources Management
What does it mean for you practically, as an employer?
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