Sick Leave Is Not Paid At Time And A Half

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

http://www.acepay.co.nz/faq023.htm

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.

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