human resources

Human resource management is all about getting the best from your staff to meet enterprise goals but is often shrouded with lots of buzz words and jargon. This resource area contains articles by our HR team designed to strip away the mystery to help you better manage your staff.

If there is something new you would like to see covered please Contact Us and let us know. The HR area includes:

September 2008

Workplace Breastfeeding

Published: 5/9/2008

An employee who wants to breastfeed at work can ask her employer if this will be possible.

July 2007

KiwiSaver Resources

Published: 13/7/2007

Links to Kiwisaver resources on this website.

March 2007

Changes to Holiday Entitlements

Published: 29/3/2007

Managing the increase to 4 weeks of annual holiday.

October 2006

Increase in Minimum Annual Holidays

Published: 20/10/2006

On an employee’s next anniversary date after 1 April 2007 they will be entitled to take four weeks of holiday.

KIWISAVER - Employers Contribution Quick Guide

This quick guide identifies some key issues for employers considering contributing to the Kiwisaver accounts of employees.

Internet And E-Mail – Dangers For Employers

Easy access to the Internet and e-mail can raise many issues for employers.

Are Probation Periods A Waste Of Time?

Probationary periods cannot be regarded as a convenient means of terminating employment in the event of performance problems but they can be a useful recruitment tool.

Retirement - What Are The Issues?

We look at retirement issues facing employers.

Road Safety Laws

What implications are there for employers?

Parental Leave – What Are My Obligations?

The Act entitles male and female employees to unpaid leave on the birth of a child or adoption of a child under 5 years of age. What are the rules?

What Does The Privacy Act Mean For Employers?

The Privacy Act has major implications for you.

Reference Checking Can Save You Money

Employers need to comply with the Privacy Act and Human Rights laws but reference checking can pay off.

Do You Need A Smoking Policy?

Employers should have a written smoking policy.

What Does ‘Casual Employment’ Mean?

Where "casual" employees are being used regularly each week, or on certain days of the week, then there is a risk that their status has changed to permanent part-time workers.

A Disciplinary/Performance Checklist For Managers and Supervisors

A checklist designed to help employers manage disciplinary and performance issues.

Why Have A Harassment Policy?

Sexual and racial harassment are grounds on which complaints of discrimination can be made. We look at the benefits of having a harassment policy.

A Disciplinary/Performance Guide For Managers and Supervisors

A guide designed to help employers manage disciplinary and performance issues.

What Employment Records Must Be Kept?

The duty to keep up to date records covers all aspects of employment from taxation, health and safety to annual leave wage and time records. We look at what records you should keep.

What Can An Employer Do About Dishonest Staff?

We discuss the difference between employment and criminal law and what you do about a dishonest employee.

What Rules Apply To Paid Parental Leave?

Although paid parental leave is funded by the tax-payer employers do have obligations under the Parental Leave and Employment Protection Act 1987.

Does An Employer Own All Benefits Resulting From Employment?

The ownership of intellectual property is often the first thing that people might think about as a potential issue in the workplace. This is certainly one the most common problems employers come across but more recently disputes over prizes won and various loyalty programme benefits have become more common.

Stress In The Workplace - What Are The Issues?

Stress in the workplace is increasingly becoming a hot topic for employers. Changes to the Health and Safety In Employment Act 1992 that took effect from 5 May 2003 extend the definition of ‘harm’ to include "physical or mental harm caused by work-related stress".  But in a broader context management of workplace fatigue and stress can pay big dividends in increased productivity, reduced absentee rates and staff turnover.

Managing Holidays

Some employees don’t want to take their annual holidays and/or alternative holidays, or at a time that suits their employer. What can be done?

Steps On Termination

In this page we focus on ensuring property and security aspects are dealt with upon termination.

Is The Use Of Biometric Technology Legal?

Increasingly technology solutions are being used in workplaces to verify access rights and as a part of time recording systems. Is this lawful?

HR Audits

EMA Central carries out a wide range of HR health checks, from an HR Snapshot to a full HR Systems Audit.

Have You Considered Employment Issues When Buying And Selling A Business?

The purchase of a business can be accomplished through share transfer or by purchasing the assets of the company. In either case due diligence is essential for the commercial viability of the business.

Can Your Truck Be Impounded If An Employee Does Not Have A Driver Licence?

Changes under the Land Transport Act 1998 have wide implications for employers.

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