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We have been flooded with questions from people about the wage subsidy and employment rights. We put these to legal experts Ashleigh Fechney and Simon Martin.
Photo: 123rf.com
Here's a summary:
Do I have to take my annual leave if asked?
Yes, but only if done right. You accrue leave at the end of the 12 months, so anything on your payslip before then you can't be forced to take. An employer must consult you first. There must be a "good faith" attempt to agree a solution. If this isn't successful the employer has to give you at least 14 days notice that they require you to take leave.
Can I take unpaid leave instead?
Yes, by agreement.
Can my planned leave be cancelled if I'm working in an essential business?
No, your leave can't be cancelled without agreement. You could also agree to defer it. Pragmatically speaking, this is a crisis and you may want to consider delaying as you can't really go anywhere.
- If you have symptoms of the coronavirus, call the NZ Covid-19 Healthline on 0800 358 5453 (+64 9 358 5453 for international SIMs) or call your GP - don't show up at a medical centre
Do I have to take my annual leave if the business is receiving the wage subsidy?
You do not have to take annual leave if the employer is receiving the wage subsidy. The Government has been clear in its most recent clarification an employee cannot be forced to take leave in order to receive the subsidy. It is intended to help pay an employee's salary and cannot be conditional on taking annual leave.
Does my subsidy go to me or the business?
It goes to the business to help meet wage needs.
Can I be made to take some of my leave in order to help the subsidy top up my wage?
It wouldn't be fair for an employer to do this but it could be done by agreement.
Are workplaces able to get the subsidy for casual workers?
An employer can apply for the subsidy for casual employees.
What happens in the situation where some staff are being asked to take annual leave but others are receiving 80 per cent of their wage?
It depends on the circumstances. It may be some employees receiving 80 per cent can work from home and they have reached agreement with the employer. Whereas those asked to take annual leave (subject to what we said before) may not be able to, so an agreement to do this may help. You may work in the non-essential part of the business while others are deemed essential.
My workplace has received the wage subsidy. However, rather than paying me the 80 percent minimum of my normal income they have reduced my working hours so I will effectively be paid by the subsidy with no top-up. Isn't this against their obligations?
Any reduction in hours below your normal level has to be done by agreement. But in the circumstances this is something a lot of employers are doing to help manage their revenue loss. If the employee has agreed then this would be legal, but only if the employer passes on every cent of the wage subsidy. The issue is that the 80 per cent minimum is not an absolute requirement. Employers have to use best efforts to pay it. If no agreement is possible, then a fair and proper process, like a restructure of hours and tasks, is also possible but it must be done in consultation with staff. Redundancies, ultimately, could be on the table too.
We have been told the money "simply isn't there" to top us up to the 80 percent, therefore we get nothing, is this right?
The government has asked employers receiving the subsidy to make their best efforts to achieve the 80 percent and if not possible they need to be paying the subsidy at a minimum. But businesses beware, not possible is a high threshold. Employers should be talking to their employees and spelling out what they are facing. Employers need to be able to show they acted reasonably.
Can my workplace use a force majeure (an act of god clause) not to pay us?
No. There are, however, agreements which contain suspensions-without-pay clauses for exceptional circumstances. One of those is usually a pandemic. It's currently untested law as to whether a suspension without pay now would be legal when challenged. It is something some employers are turning to. The key, again, is to consult prior to using it.
I am an essential worker but I have high risk health issues which mean I can't work. What are my options in relation to pay? Sick pay or leave?
Read more about the Covid-19 coronavirus:
- See all RNZ Covid-19 news
- Government clarifies essential services during lockdown
- Covid-19 alert system: What you need to know
The default is sick leave is for employees who are ill or have to care for someone who is, so in this instance it won't necessarily apply. You can agree to take a period of annual leave. Another option may be to discuss with your employer what you would need to work from home or steps both parties could take to ensure your safety. The Government has signalled it is considering additional support for essential workers with high-risk conditions. At the moment we are unsure what that looks like.
Pre-Covid-19 I had a contract which guaranteed eight hours of work a week but I was normally doing between 24 and 50. Since the lockdown I am only being paid for the eight. What am I entitled to?
The company should be attempting to find an average hours figure and pay on that basis. A helpful period for the average income could be eight weeks. This has been accepted in the past by labour inspectors as a fair snapshot.
My company is reducing its employee's wages. They're using a percentage system that matches three different salary bands. I will get 10 percent less effective as of 1 April. Is this legal?
It is if the reduction has been agreed. There should have been an open discussion with employees which allowed them to signal their agreement. If that wasn't the case, then the next option for an employer may be to consult with staff around why the reduction is required and provide them with an opportunity to comment.
If an essential business is staying open during the four-week lockdown period but only requires a skeleton staff can they instruct staff to stay home and not pay them for it?
Let's forget about Covid-19. Any other day if they send you home and they can't meet your agreed hours then they must pay for it. However, you can agree to such a change. This is an area where you will likely need more legal advice.
I was on a fixed term contract which ended appropriately. However, the business is going into a shutdown and I'm worried I'm not going get my notice period paid.
You have the right to be paid your notice period. The shutdown does not impact it.
I am an essential worker but will need to help look after my children? What are my rights?
It is a really tough situation and one that is falling through the cracks. You can take annual leave if the employer agrees but there is, currently, no government support in this area. It needs to be addressed.
Photo: 123RF
I have a flatmate who is high risk and I am an essential worker. He wants to go and stay elsewhere. Can my employer help meet the cost of that?
You should talk to your employer about the options available to significantly reduce the risk of catching and giving Covid-19 to your flatmate. That could require changes to the way you work or where. If that is not possible the employer may have to look at other ways to reduce the risk of transmission, including helping house the person somewhere else.
I was due to start a new job next week and had signed the contract. Yesterday they rang to say my start date was postponed indefinitely while they sorted out the burden of the alert level 4. Can they do this?
The start date can be moved by agreement but effectively you are covered by the law having signed the contract. Given you are a signed up employee, they should either be providing you with work or applying for the subsidy.
My employer has offered us being made redundant now or employed at less than 50 percent of salary for the next 12 weeks to take advantage of the subsidy, then be made redundant. Is this legal?
No. The employer has given a clear indication you are to be made redundant. There are also duress issues here too. It doesn't mean there can't be full and frank discussions but already signalling you're going to take the wage subsidy but everyone will be made redundant still is very high risk.
What if the company I work for says it has no money to pay wages at the moment?
They should be trying to get the subsidy. But, ultimately, if the business goes bankrupt you are going to lose most of what you are due.
If I take my annual leave by agreement now will it be worth more than in three months?
That's likely, given employers are reducing hours and pay.
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