Easter Trading Restrictions

26 MARCH 2012

Easter Trading Restrictions

With less than three weeks until Easter, the Department of Labour is reminding retailers that they must shut their doors for two days over the holiday period.

The Shop Trading Hours Repeal Act 1990 requires shops to close on Christmas Day, Good Friday, Easter Sunday and until 1pm on ANZAC Day every year.

This means shops must be closed on Good Friday and Easter Sunday this year and any shops who do not comply with the Act, and are not exempt, risk being prosecuted for breaching the legislation.

The Department’s Deputy Chief Executive Labour Group, Lesley Haines, says some exemptions to the Act apply to ensure certain types of essential services and shops remain open in places where people may be travelling through.

“Any retailers uncertain about whether they are able to open on these days should get in touch with the Department before the Easter period. Information is also available on our website,” Ms Haines says.

There is also information available on the Department’s website for employers who are unsure about employee entitlements over the Easter period.

ENDS
Notes to Editor
• More information on Shop Trading legislation and the exemptions that exist are available on the Department’s website: http://www.dol.govt.nz/er/holidaysandleave/publicholidays/shop-opening-hours.asp.
• More information on public holidays and employee entitlements in 2012 is available here: http://www.dol.govt.nz/workplace/knowledgebase/item/1578
• 2012 New Zealand public holiday dates are available here: http://www.dol.govt.nz/er/holidaysandleave/publicholidays/publicholidaydates/current.asp
• For more information, the Department of Labour’s contact centre is open during businesses hours by phoning 0800 20 90 20.

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