1 April 2016
Parental leave changes positive
Changes in to parental leave will help workplace relations, says BusinessNZ.
Entitlement to 18 weeks’ paid leave, available to greater numbers of employees, comes into force today.
[More information is here on www.businessnz.org.nz.]
From today, the Parental Leave and Employment Protection Act also provides for parental leave payment to be made even if
the employee resigns their position.
BusinessNZ Chief Executive Kirk Hope says this will allow employees be upfront about whether or not they intend to
return to the workplace, giving employers more certainty for business planning.
He said the Act now also provides for ‘keeping in touch’ days where employees can work limited hours during their paid
leave if they choose.
“This will help employees keep their work skills current and make their full return to work easier.
“Better communication and better transitions in and out of parental leave will be positive for workplace relations.”
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