Workers Will Revolt on Pay Hassles
New Zealand employees stand to lose thousands of dollars as payroll clerks take on the extra burden of the new Holidays
Act. Many employers are using outdated payroll systems that simply won't cope, warns payroll industry leader Steve
Nathan, of Comacc. "Payroll officers will have their workload increased overnight on April 1st ".Many do not have the
resources to handle the extra requirements handed down by the Government, through this legislation.
In the current economy where skilled employees are at a premium, he believes pay hassles caused by the changes in the
Act will be the final straw for some workers.
"Most people are working predominantly for the dollar," he says. "When government intervention means the dollars are
being 'mucked with', employees are going to revolt."
He believes many employers are unaware of the changes the Act will bring into force from April 1st. "There is a
significant extra administration component to the new requirements and payroll officers will be tearing their hair out,
trying to get to grips with it."
Employers and Manufacturers Association advisory services Manager Peter Tritt also has real concerns about the impact of
the new Act.
"We are seeing employers every day who are stressing about what the Act means for them in terms of administration and
compliance, but of course we know the Government cares nothing for employer stress or for the extra costs it will impose
on employers," he says. "Our Adviceline is fielding thousands of calls from members, and EMA is running seminars around
the country, to update employers on their new obligations from April 1st." The EMA has teamed up with Comacc in their
efforts to bring employers up to date on the new Act.
Comacc has produced a free 8-page guide to assist employers review their current payroll system, to confirm it will meet
the requirements of the new Act. This can be downloaded from www.comacc.co.nz.