Thank you for using Neighbourly
Another part of the work Citizens Advice does is to track the sort of calls for help we get and shine a 'spotlight' on areas of concern.
Citizens Advice Bureau releases report that shows many employers are breaking the law
Media Release
7 September 2017
Employers are breaking … View moreAnother part of the work Citizens Advice does is to track the sort of calls for help we get and shine a 'spotlight' on areas of concern.
Citizens Advice Bureau releases report that shows many employers are breaking the law
Media Release
7 September 2017
Employers are breaking the law by denying workers their entitlement to a written employment agreement. Citizens Advice Bureau has produced a report based on the situations of 473 clients who contacted the CAB in the six months from 1 December 2016 to 31 May 2017 who did not have written employment agreements and who were dealing with a range of other breaches of their employment rights.
“When there is no written employment agreement, employees are vulnerable to being treated badly by their employer”, said Jayne McKendry, Social Policy Advisor at Citizens Advice Bureau New Zealand. Ms McKendry and her colleagues have looked closely at the 473 enquiries and they are appalled at the very clear breaches of law for these people.
“We have seen situations of employees not being paid wages owed to them, having their hours of work changed without discussion, and even being fired on the spot for taking a day’s sick leave” states Ms McKendry. “These are clear abuses of employees’ rights, rights which are very clearly stated in the law”, McKendry noted.
The CAB acknowledges that having a written employment agreement doesn’t guarantee that minimum standards of employment will be upheld, but they assert that a written agreement is a fundamental starting point for any employment relationship. They are calling on all employers, regardless of the size of their business, to make sure they understand their obligations to their staff.
“If you don’t know what’s legally required of you as an employer, it’s time you found out. There is plenty of information and support available to help you”, asserts McKendry.
CABs have seen many situations where things have gone awry at the end of the employment relationship, something that could have been prevented if there was a written employment agreement giving both parties a clear understanding about giving notice and about treating each other fairly and in good faith. “Having a written employment agreement makes life easier for both employers and employees” McKendry noted.
“CABs have received enquiries from clients who got fired on the spot for having a day off sick, or who’ve been told to either work longer hours or leave, or even for asking for an employment agreement. This is clearly unfair, and unlawful.”
“We’ve also talked to people who’ve just walked off the job with no, or very little, notice. In this situation, not having a written employment agreement doesn’t help the employer either”, Ms McKendry noted.
The Labour Inspectorate has statutory powers to enforce compliance with employment laws but given how widespread non-compliance is, they are seriously under-resourced to be able to respond to every breach. There is also currently nowhere for employees to go to safely report a breach of their rights and know that action will be taken in a way that will not back-fire on them.
The CAB believes that a more integrated cross-government approach is needed to address these issues, both in terms of educating employers and ensuring compliance with minimum employment standards.
The CAB hopes their report will prompt employers to get things in order and make sure every worker has a written employment agreement. “We also hope it will prompt government agencies to think of other ways to educate and upskill employers, to ensure there are consequences for those who knowingly disregard the law, and to make it easier for employees to report breaches of their rights without fear of losing their job if they do. We will certainly be advocating for this every chance we get,” Jayne concluded.
Link to full report attached
Also link on where to find us in Christchurch
Contact: Jayne McKendry, Social Policy Advisor, CABNZ, Phone 04 471 2735
Citizens Advice Bureau is an independent community organisation offering free, confidential and independent information, advice and assistance from 83 locations stretching from Northland to Invercargill. Last year volunteers received over 500,000 enquiries on issues ranging from health and family, immigration, housing and employment to consumer rights.
Morena.
Here's our fourth challenge for the week, leading up to next week's Māori Language Week - we'll be running these over the weekend as well, so only toru more to go.
How good is your reo? We're going to challenge you to guess what common Māori words and phrases mean … View moreMorena.
Here's our fourth challenge for the week, leading up to next week's Māori Language Week - we'll be running these over the weekend as well, so only toru more to go.
How good is your reo? We're going to challenge you to guess what common Māori words and phrases mean every day this week. Take your best guess - and no cheating (Googling) until after you've guessed!
Your local Vietnamese eatery keeps it real with authentic food and we've found it has a strong student following. Our very own Laura Baker gives it 3 stars - do you agree? Have you checked it out?
See attached newsletter for an update of New Zealand Red Cross activities in the Canterbury North area.
Canterbury North Area Council Update Aug 2017.pdf Download View
For those of you interested in what the rental market is doing in Christchurch, please have a read of this link. If you have any questions, please call our office.
Christian man Paul Humphreys said if there was any hope of reducing youth suicide rates in New Zeala…
Hi anybody missing 2 push bikes i seen 2 for the last 4 days look stolen
to me no locks on them.
Thanks
John
Coffee plunger
Brand new still in box
$30 pick up Westmorland
Listed elsewhere
Hello neighbours, thought you might enjoy this article about the bees you share your city with.
Morena.
Here's our third challenge for the week, leading up to next week's Māori Language Week.
How good is your reo? We're going to challenge you to guess what common Māori words and phrases mean every day this week. Take your best guess - and no cheating (Googling) until after … View moreMorena.
Here's our third challenge for the week, leading up to next week's Māori Language Week.
How good is your reo? We're going to challenge you to guess what common Māori words and phrases mean every day this week. Take your best guess - and no cheating (Googling) until after you've guessed!
Hey everyone. Over the past year over 1000 customers provided us with a bill from their previous supplier when they joined. We ran the numbers, and we’re proud to say that customers switching to Electric Kiwi save $240 a year on average! Maybe that’s why we are NZ's fastest growing power … View moreHey everyone. Over the past year over 1000 customers provided us with a bill from their previous supplier when they joined. We ran the numbers, and we’re proud to say that customers switching to Electric Kiwi save $240 a year on average! Maybe that’s why we are NZ's fastest growing power company?
Want to know what you could save? Head to our online calculator.
Just a heads up for anyone needing cotton rag, you can get clean sack bags full of uncut cotton rag (sheeting/flannel) for just $5, we also have bags of toweling rag available if requested for $5 as well. All rags are uncut. Call in at 320 Manchester st or call 3652051 to secure a bag.
Streets for People! Central City Street Party.. you don't want to miss it! More details to come: bit.ly...
Looking for inspiration to reduce your household food waste and save money at the same time? Come along to the Food Lovers Masterclasses with Kate Meads on the 12 and 13 September.
All workshop attendees walk away with a goodie bag valued at $100. Spaces are limited so be sure to book now!
… View moreLooking for inspiration to reduce your household food waste and save money at the same time? Come along to the Food Lovers Masterclasses with Kate Meads on the 12 and 13 September.
All workshop attendees walk away with a goodie bag valued at $100. Spaces are limited so be sure to book now!
Tuesday 12 September Workshop: bit.ly...
Wednesday 13 September Workshop: bit.ly...
Here's our second challenge for the week, leading up to next week's Māori Language Week.
How good is your reo? We're going to challenge you to guess what common Māori words and phrases mean every day this week. Take your best guess - and no cheating (Googling) until after … View moreHere's our second challenge for the week, leading up to next week's Māori Language Week.
How good is your reo? We're going to challenge you to guess what common Māori words and phrases mean every day this week. Take your best guess - and no cheating (Googling) until after you've guessed!
© Neighbourly 2026
Loading…
