Frequently asked questions

Free FAQ Guides

Below is a list of Frequently Asked Questions. Please click the following links to download PDFs of our current FAQs.

• The big 6 - This resource assists small and medium businesses manage employment relations and health and safety. From the Department of Labour April 2010.

• Shop Trading Restrictions - Easter and Anzac Day 2010 - From the Department of Labour March 2010

• Minimum wage rates effective 1st April 2010 - from the Dept of Labour March 2010 - The new minimum wage rates will become effective on 1 April 2010.

• Easter and Anzac Day public holidays - staff entitlements for these public holidays - from the Dept of Labour, March 2010.

• Statistics New Zealand has just released the Business Toolbox, a free suite of online tools that provide quick and easy access to information for businesses. Read more....

• Casual Employment 2010 - Minimum rights and entitlements - Information from the Department of Labour

• Waitangi & Anzac Day holidays 2010 - Department of Labour information about Holiday Pay entitlements for 2010

• Public Holidays and Christmas / New Year closedown 2009 / 2010 FAQs
  Public Holidays and Christmas/New Year Close Downs 2009 – 2010 are covered in the latest FAQ documents for employers and compiled for Chamber members by Hesketh Henry.
  

• Text-driving - a risky business: Road User Amendment Rule 2009
  From the 1st November 2009, it will be unlawful to use mobile phones while driving.  This means that using your cell phone or any other device such as an iPod while driving is not only unsafe for you and your employees, it is risky business.

• Business people should think about getting insurance needs ‘Sorted’
  19 October 2009 - Retirement Commissioner Diana Crossan believes that getting the right insurance is an important part of managing money. But how do you know what is right for you and how much you should expect to pay?

• ACC - automatic, comprehensive, 24-hour injury cover
  It’s easy to think of ACC as just another form of tax, but another way to look at ACC is as a comprehensive package of personal injury insurance, and a potential lifeline if you or your employees have an accident and aren’t able to work. What’s more - its all done automatically for you! So what cover do you have from ACC?



• Get your taxes right! - Article
  23 June - Inland Revenue has unveiled the areas it will focus on in the year ahead to make sure people get their taxes right, and claim correct social support payments. The Commissioner of Inland Revenue, Robert Russell, has released “Helping You Get it Right: Inland Revenue’s compliance focus 2009-10’’ .



• Influenza Pandemic Business Planning
  Updated 18 June - How do I prepare my business in case of a pandemic? What are your responsibilities as an employer in the case of a pandemic? Prepare for the health and business risks created by an influenza pandemic.



• Tax assistance package – summary of changes
  A summary of tax changes (April 2009). Full information about these changes is available at www.ird.govt.nz.



• ACC- Extra cover - 2009
  What financial impact would there be on your business if you were injured and had to take time off work to recover? Your questions answered in this FAQ.



• Talk to us, says Commissioner of Inland Revenue - Article
  The Commissioner of Inland Revenue, Robert Russell, is urging customers finding it difficult to pay their taxes in the current economic climate to contact the department at the earliest opportunity.



• Quick Guide - Employment Legislation Update 2009
  Including - 90 Day Trial Period, Meal and Rest Breaks, Breast Feeding at Work, KiwiSaver changes, Flexible Working, Minimum Wage and Remuneration Amendment, Holidays Act Amendments, Redundancy or Re-structuring

• Quick Guide - Applying for tenders
  Tendering for work has several advantages: Essentially, to win a tender you need to demonstrate that you have the skills to supply the solutions. We have compiled a quick guide to applying for tenders.

• Employment Relations (Breaks, Infant Feeding, & Other Matters) Amendment Act 2008
  From 1 April 2009, all employers will be required to provide employees with paid rest breaks and unpaid meal breaks.

• Restructuring & Redundancy
  Disciplinary procedure points - November 2008 (Source: Hesketh Henry)

• IRD changes to provisional tax
  Press release (March 2008) - a new option for businesses

• Quick KiwiSaver Checklist
  Understanding your obligations as an employer
  KiwiSaver FAQs

• Flexible Working Arrangements Act
  The Flexible Working Arrangement Act came into effect on July 1st 2008. Those who have caring responsibilities will have the statutory “right to request” flexible working arrangements. Report: Flexible working - Good business




• Anti Spam Legislation Guide
  From 5 September 2007 you and your staff have a legal obligation to adhere to this Act for all commercial electronic communications with a New Zealand link.

• NZ Postal Code Changes FAQs
  In 2006 New Zealand Post introduced new postcodes, address standards and the SendRight™ Address Accuracy Programme.

• Discipline and Dismissal in the Workplace.
  An employers guide to Discipline and Dismissal in the Workplace