KEY POINTS:
Get the feeling it's election year, anyone? That great political football, employment law and industrial relations, has been tirelessly booted around Parliament this year, sparking significant media attention.
So far this year, changes that have taken effect include compulsory employer Kiwisaver contributions, and flexible working.
The Government has also introduced legislation to Parliament providing for compulsory rest breaks, and breastfeeding in the workplace. On top of all that, the Government has announced stronger protections for casual and temporary workers the minimum wage is to be applied to contractors and public servants with five years' service are to receive an extra week's annual holidays. And the Government has even established a working group which is looking at compulsory redundancy compensation.
Some of these changes undoubtedly have merit. Personally I think the proposals for compulsory rest breaks and breast feeding are a good idea, and most of the other proposals are worth exploring at least.
However, regardless of the merit or otherwise of these changes, you have to wonder whether they are all genuine attempts at reform, or simply publicity stunts. A cynic would say that the Government is unlikely to get all these proposals in place before the election. It might garner a few extra votes in the process of trying, though.
Ironically, the proposal which is among the more likely to make it into the statute books, on current polls, is National's policy on probationary periods.
Greg Cain
Greg Cain is an employment lawyer at Minter Ellison Rudd Watts.
