Employers will be checking on recordkeeping, leave entitlements, holiday pay
Employers across New Zealand have been advised to expect a visit from the Labour Inspectorate this year as it carries out a nationwide compliance clampdown on errant business owners.
The compliance checks will focus on identifying non-compliance with minimum employment standards, including exploitation of vulnerable workers, according to the Inspectorate.
"Combating exploitation of workers – migrants and others – is a priority for the Labour Inspectorate and MBIE's other regulatory teams," said Simon Humphries, Labour Inspectorate head, in a statement.
Areas of potential non-compliance that will be monitored include:
"When breaches are detected enforcement action may be taken," Humphries said. "But our Inspectors are always ready to help and educate employers who are not certain of their employment standards obligations or need our help to resolve a complaint through guided resolution."
Meanwhile, the inspectorate said it is focusing on the following business sectors to see if they are doing right by their employees:
According to the organisation, the retail and hospitality areas are of particular concern, while there has been an increase in complaints from employees in the security, construction, and transport industries.
Operation Atoll, one of the larger operations, already began in late January with teams visiting businesses in the Central North Island.
"Numerous other operations are also already underway nationally while other major operations are due to start later this month," Humphries said.
According to the labour inspectorate head, they are also using the opportunity to improve their profile and increase visibility to prevent poor employer behaviour.
"It's about MBIE using its collective reach to provide better outcomes when dealing with non-compliance and other serious abuses of basic employment standards," he said.
