'Horror' at New Holidays Act

22 March 2004

'Horror' at New Holidays Act

Payroll software vendors are furious they have been given the specifications for the new Holidays Act just two weeks before the Act becomes law.

Comacc Managing Director Steve Nathan is spitting tacks about the late release of information, and says it smacks of 'all care, no responsibility' by the Department of Labour. "The late release of specs is just another example of this Government's failure to properly consult with business people. Frankly this Act is a total mess," he says.

Together with the EMA, Comacc has been running seminars around the Country to explain the new requirements to employers.

"We are seeing absolute horror from the 3000 people we've spoken to," says Nathan. "The people who actually have to apply this legislation are stunned by its vague wordings and the potential for confusion. We rang the Department of Labour HelpDesk three times to clarify one point, and got three different answers. If these people can't make sense of it, there's little hope for employers," he says.

Nathan believes the impact of the legislation will be total chaos, and Says the Government has rushed it through to avoid the mess occurring in an election year.

"I think the Government wants this mess out of the way before the next election. But business people have longer memories than that," he says.

He's been following the legislative process carefully and is confident the Comacc payroll software is going to cope with the new Act, although its ambiguous nature will be a problem for those interpreting it.

ENDS

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