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Employment Information
Newsletters
Latest Newsletters available - "Working in Wine" for employers. (May 2008) and "How's Work?" for employees, (February 2008)
When we think there's something that New Zealand wine industry employers (and employees) should know relating to employment laws or changes, we'll post it here after we have sent it to our subscriber list. If you're not already a subscriber receiving this free information directly, you may become one by signing up here.
KiwiSaver - updated information available 17 July 2007
There's a handy pdf file of the current registered providers and their fee schedules available courtesy of the Sunday Star Times - click here to read it and print it out (takes a while to download, it's a large file).
Mary Holms, financial wizard and finance columnist for the NZ Herald, has written a great little book which you can buy for $9.99 online - details are here. Or, you can read an excerpt from it here.
KiwiSaver Update Post-Budget 18 May 2007
The latest information from the Inland Revenue Department on Budget changes to the KiwiSaver programme is listed now - click here to read the 11-page pdf file outlining what you need to know.
View our handy information sheet on all the KiwiSaver fund providers - plus a handy website which outlines all the fees.
Newsletters
Our Employer Information newsletter, "Working in Wine", is available now for downloading in pdf format.
In the May 2008 edition of Working in Wine, we talk about:
: Our new TRADE DIARY to keep you updated on events
: Huge payouts from the Courts to wronged employees
: Interesting interpretation of Fixed Term Employment
: Employers must check migrants' work visas
: Enhancements to job listings
: and a special glassware offer (NZ only)
The first edition for 2008, February's Working in Wine has quite a bit to tell employers:
Minimum Pay Rates increasing ; KiwiSaver update ; Cheap Telecom calling rates ; From the papers ; Easter Holiday pay ; Nelson employer made to pay ; Otago Anniversary Date ; OSH update - fatigue ; Job Application ; winejobsonline.com updates.
In December 2007's employer newsletter, Working in Wine, we outline a few important things:
- Minimum pay rates for those on piece rate work ; Update on KiwiSaver ; Flexible Work Hours - new law from July 08
- Holidays calculator from DOL ; Christmas gift ideas ; Christmas/New Year Public Holidays pay ; Enhancements to winejobsonline.com from next year....
The May 2007 edition of Working in Wine gives more detail of the KiwiSaver scheme due to start in July;
talks about Serious Harm from the Health and Safety in Employment Act (including a $5,000 fine to a company that didn't report an accident);
gives some recent decisions from the Employment Authority - did you hear the one about the guy who went fishing on a sick day and was fired? But because the employer didn't follow a proper process, he was awarded $5,000..... or what about the employee who got $1,500 after just 2 months because her employer put her on a probationary period with no written employment agreement?
In February 2007's Working in Wine, we cover the new minimum pay rates and the KiwiSaver scheme; we remind you that you are required to be a "Fair and Reasonable" employer and what records you must keep for all your employees. Once again we outline Casual v. term Employment Agreements (yes, some people are still getting them confused) and ask if your OSH practices are compliant... We also outline what's being done to clean up illegal workers and the new Seasonal Work Scheme due to start soon... Enjoy the read!
Working in Wine for employers, December 2006, covers:
Public Holiday Entitlements, 2006/7 Christmas/New Year period
New - Winery/Vineyard Cafe and Restaurant job listings category
Probationary Period Law Change - No Go
Email and Internet Policy
Seasonal Work Scheme
Company Fined for not reporting Work Accident
Working in Wine, October 2006, reminds wine employers about the 4 weeks holiday to which every employee will become entitled after 1 April 2007. And we ask if you know - "Can you just Fire someone?"
The topic of June 2006's Working in Wine is, "Are you a good employer?" We list 11 things for you to consider. Maybe you're not as good as you think.
And we encourage all winery and grapegrower employers to participate in the Annual Wine Industry Salary Survey currently being conducted by Strategic Pay in association with NZ Winegrowers.
April 2006's "Working in Wine" tells you about Easter Public Holidays, the change to 4 weeks annual leave and an interesting case from the Employment Court.
In December 2005 we outline changes to the Parental Leave Act and define the different kinds of employment agreements.
If meetings take up your time the November 2005 edition gives some tips to make them more productive, and tells you how to pay people for Christmas/New Year public holidays.
May 2005 edition of "Working in Wine" is about Performance Reviews, and a few easy tips on how and why you should undertake them for your staff.
March 2005 "Working in Wine" checks whether you're totally clear about the different employee categories so that everyone at your place is employed on the correct employment agreement. Can you have a trial period? What about employing someone for harvest "and if they're any good offering them a job?"
We also mention the new Criminal Records (Clean Slate) Act 2004 and the latest amendments to the Employment Relations Act.
December 2004 edition contains information about the new smokefree workplace laws, payments for Christmas New Year 2004/5 public holidays and changes to the Parental Leave Act.
November 2004 edition contains information about amendments to the Holidays Act 2003 and entitlements to public holiday payments for all employees.
We also tell you a few things about the Employment Relations Act - including which one piece of documentation you need to have, to save your company from a potential fine of up to $10,000.
"How's Work?" is for Employees
In the first newsletter for 2008, February's How's Work gives updates to employees on: KiwiSaver, Minimum Pay Rates, Cheap International Calling Rates, Easter Public Holidays Pay, How not to write a Job Application, and the latest Wine News by Email.
December 2007's "How's Work?" talks about minimum pay rates, updates to KiwiSaver, and info about the Flexible Work Hours that take effect from July 08.
We start the 2007 year by giving some handy tips for the office - how to avoid aches and pains at your desk, and some helpful tips for use in Word. We also mention new minimum pay rates and some advice for 2007. Read How's Work, February 2007.
The November 2006 edition of "How's Work??" introduces the new wine industry website resources portal from www.winejobsonline.com, reminds you of your rights and obligations at work, and again mentions the 4 weeks annual leave effective next April.
In August 2006 we give some tips for Performance Reviews as well as outline what to do about that pay increase you're after, and information about the new four weeks holiday to be introduced from 1 April 2007.
"How's Work?" in April 2006 is about payments - for public holidays, holiday pay and minimum wage rates.
December 2005's "How's Work?" outlines changes to the Parental Leave Act and once again tell you about the right kinds of employment agreements.
In the October 2005 issue we suggest you take a look at where you waste your time and what it costs your company when you do.
The July 2005 edition of "How's Work?" helps with some ways you can prepare for an annual Performance Review.
In March 2005 we outline 10 steps you can take to reduce workplace overload.
Please remember that the information provided in these newsletters relates to New Zealand.
Salary and Wages Information
Remuneration rates vary considerably throughout New Zealand wine industry positions and take into account a number of factors. We are therefore unable to advise on what you should pay your employees, or what your wage rate should be.
Strategic Pay Ltd, in association with New Zealand Winegrowers, currently conducts an annual remuneration survey focusing on pay levels for positions particular to the wine industry.
Positions include Winemaker, Vineyard positions, Cellarhands, Viticulturist, Cellar door and Laboratory staff. Information is also produced forecasting remuneration levels and changes in staff recruitment.
Participation in this survey is open to all wineries in New Zealand and the results are available to purchase, with participants entitled to a discount.
To obtain more information regarding this survey, please contact Catherine at Strategic Pay on 09 303 4057 or email her. More generic roles such as sales, admin, marketing etc., are covered by other surveys and not featured in the Wine one although the information is available on request.
Information from Immigration New Zealand - August 2005
The Immigration Department has advised changes to Working Holiday Schemes increasing the numbers of working holiday makers able to come into New Zealand and removing the work restrictions from some schemes.
Full details are published here.
New Seasonal Work Scheme for Pacific Island Workers from April 2007 announced.
Read the full story here
About winejobsonline.com
www.winejobsonline.com is owned and run by Paddy and Heather Battersby, New Zealanders with personal experience in the wine industry, recruitment and human resources. Read more about us here.
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