Stats NZ have issued two figures in the last week. The CPI figures for the year to 30 September have been released at 1.0% and the labour cost index reflected an increase of 1.8% in all salary and wage rates for the year to 30 June 2014. This latter continues a trend that has been very stable since the beginning of 2010.
You can read September-October 2014 Essential Update here
A Senior Manager in Australia is being charged under H&S legislation in Australia (on which our new Act is modelled). The concept of Officer is seemingly broader than just Directors – and liability will seemingly exist if as an officer you have not taken reasonable steps to ensure H&S in the workplace. The law is by no means clear yet, but if you are a senior manager in an organisation; now is a good time to make sure your company has the right H&S systems in place. This is one area where it will no longer be the owner/Directors’ sole responsibility.
This is the time of year when many employers take on a student or two or additional casual staff to cover those taking leave. As with any permanent staff there are some things you absolutely have to do when recruiting such people:
It appears that the Christchurch rebuild has pressured a number of companies into taking legal short-cuts. The MBIE in Canterbury has been conducting audits as a result of complaints generally and has found 16 out of 23 completed audits so far in breach of laws – especially inadequate employment agreements; inadequate wage records and unlawful deductions from pay. I am still getting regular calls from companies that do not have suitable agreements – the process for getting a suitable one is really very easy – it just needs one phone call to get it started.
The wheels of government turn - albeit slowly, and some 8 months after making my submission I have been asked to go and talk to the Select Committee debating the Bill, on December 1.
The message I got was 'be encouraged to talk to them'. Aside from the politicians being seemingly unable to avoid an opportunity to disagree with each other, they all said they really appreciate the submissions by 'small players'.
Do you allow any alcohol consumption at work, at work functions or at work premises after work?
The new National Government has made it happen ... now you need to prepare.
My Christmas Essential Update can be read here
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