Sick Leave Is Not Paid At Time And A Half If Taken On A Public Holiday
There have been recent articles in New Zealand newspapers suggesting an employee is entitled to be paid time and a half
if they take sick leave on a Public Holiday.
Various groups have expressed their views about the "fact" that sick leave should be paid at time and a half if it is
taken on a public holiday, but, we have seen no evidence given that this is actually the law!
Ace Payroll would like to draw attention to a page it has added to it's website
This page dissects the legislation, focussing on sections 51 and 71, and presents the conclusion that sick leave is not
payable at time and a half if taken on a public holiday.
Recent articles have not quoted the legislation, nor explained how the conclusion that sick leave is payable at time and
a half was reached.
An employer should not pay time and a half to an employee who has called in sick on a public holiday and an employer who
does pay while this doubt remains is unlikely to get their money back later on.
Ace Payroll has no interest in the politics of the Holidays Act 2003 - we are only concerned at the very real risk of
businesses paying more than they need to because of misinformation.
We urge the groups that have said sick leave should be paid at time and a half if taken on a public holiday to review
our website, and either revise their view or explain to us by quoting the legislation itself how we are mistaken in our
view.