Scoop has an Ethical Paywall
Work smarter with a Pro licence Learn More

Local Govt | National News Video | Parliament Headlines | Politics Headlines | Search

 

Vineyard labour contractor to pay $73,081.70 for breaches

3 May 2017

Vineyard labour contractor to pay $73,081.70 for employment law breaches

A viticulture labour contracting business has been ordered to pay $73,081.70 in penalties and arrears for breaching employment law following a Labour Inspectorate investigation.

Marlborough based business Precise Contracting Limited was found to have failed to provide 83 employees with minimum wage, correct holiday pay, or keep proper employment records.

The Employment Relations Authority (ERA) set a $40,000 penalty on top of the $33,081.70 of arrears to be paid to workers.

During the Labour Inspectorate’s investigation, multiple problematic employment practices were highlighted, such as failing to pay employees their last weeks’ pay or holiday pay when they left the business.

“Providing your employees all their minimum entitlements, such as at least a minimum wage for every hour worked and holiday pay, are the basics every employer in New Zealand must follow,” says Labour Inspectorate regional manager Kevin Finnegan.

“Just because you find employees leaving your business ‘frustrating’ does not entitle you to penalise them by withholding their last pay.”

Precise Contracting Limited director Rhonda Burridge would also regularly alter the timesheet of employees, favouring supervisor’s records where there were conflicts – especially when fewer hours were recorded.

Ms Burridge would also add in 45 minute unpaid lunch breaks, even when employees had recorded shorter breaks.

“Altering your employees’ timesheets without their consent, as was common practice for Ms Burridge, is not acceptable,” says Mr Finnegan.

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading

Are you getting our free newsletter?

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.

“Having accurate employment records is important for protecting employers and employees, both for ensuring all hours are paid for, and helping to avoid disputes.

“New Zealand has a reputation as a fair and equitable country, and it’s important this is maintained.

“With such a big stake in exports, it’s in the best interest of the viticulture industry to take active steps to make sure employment obligations are being met on their vineyards.”

MBIE encourages anyone concerned about their employment situation, or the situation of someone they now, to call its contact centre on 0800 20 90 20, where their concerns will be handled in a safe environment.

ends

© Scoop Media

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading
 
 
 
Parliament Headlines | Politics Headlines | Regional Headlines


Gordon Campbell: On The US Opposition To Mortgage Interest Deductibility For Landlords


Should landlords be able to deduct the interest on the loans they take out to bankroll their property speculation? The US Senate Budget Committee and Bloomberg News don't think this is a good idea, for reasons set out below. Regardless, our coalition government has been burning through a ton of political capital by giving landlords a huge $2.9 billion tax break via interest deductibility, while still preaching the need for austerity to the disabled, and to everyone else...
More


 
 

Government: Concerns Conveyed To China Over Cyber Activity
Foreign Minister Winston Peters has confirmed New Zealand’s concerns about cyber activity have been conveyed directly to the Chinese Government. “The Prime Minister and Minister Collins have expressed concerns today about malicious cyber activity... More

ALSO:


Government: GDP Decline Reinforces Government’s Fiscal Plan

Declining GDP for the December quarter reinforces the importance of restoring fiscal discipline to public spending and driving more economic growth, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says... More

ALSO:


Government: Humanitarian Support For Gaza & West Bank

Winston Peters has announced NZ is providing a further $5M to respond to the extreme humanitarian need in Gaza and the West Bank. “The impact of the Israel-Hamas conflict on civilians is absolutely appalling," he said... More


Government: New High Court Judge Appointed

Judith Collins has announced the appointment of Wellington Barrister Jason Scott McHerron as a High Court Judge. Justice McHerron graduated from the University of Otago with a BA in English Literature in 1994 and an LLB in 1996... More

 
 
 
 
 
 

LATEST HEADLINES

  • PARLIAMENT
  • POLITICS
  • REGIONAL
 
 

InfoPages News Channels


 
 
 
 

Join Our Free Newsletter

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.