Never mind all those surveys and statistics - when businesses start buying trucks, you know things are on the way up. New truck sales were up 35 per cent in January and February, compared to last year. The statistics also give an insight into where growth is likely to come from - sales of light trucks, more common among tradies and small businesses, are up 74 per cent, medium-sized truck sales up 52 per cent and heavy trucks up 7.2 per cent.
Double whammy
Many employers tell horror stories about being hauled before the Employment Court and getting hit with payouts, when they feel they have acted perfectly reasonably. Well, there could be more to worry about. Chapman Tripp is warning clients that more disgruntled employees are taking employment-related matters to the Human Rights Commission if they believe they have been discriminated against or harassed in a way that breaches the Human Rights Act. Few people realise an unjustified dismissal or disadvantage claim can be taken to either body, but not both. Also, the 90-day time limit does not apply to human rights cases, and the Human Rights Tribunal has been making more generous payouts lately.
Fast-track safety
Last week, the Health and Safety Reform Bill was introduced into Parliament. It aims to overhaul workplace safety, and most notably, puts more onus on directors and managers to take responsibility for their workers' safety. Already there are rumblings - some employers are concerned that they have only until April 11 to get their heads around the proposals and make their submissions. Even more worrying is the fact that alongside the bill's passage through Parliament, officials are also working on two mammoth sets of regulations. Any changes to the bill could mean changes to the regulations and vice versa. This may prove a real test for Labour Minister Simon Bridges (left) and his ability in managing difficult legislation ... though at the moment he has his hands full with his recently born second child.
