Probation employment law would benefit all parties

Media statement Thursday, October 5th, 2006

Probation employment law would benefit all parties; union fuss is baseless

The fuss created by the unions over a 90 day grievance free period of employment is baseless and scaremongering, the Employers & Manufacturers Association (Northern) told the Transport and Industrial Relations Select Committee today.

"The Bill is not a 'business versus worker' thing; it's something that benefits both," said David Lowe, EMA's Employment Services Manager.

"That's why nearly every other OECD country has a law like this and they work well for both employers and employees.

"The Engineers Union and the Minister of Labour have said the law around probationary periods is uncertain and needs to be fixed.

"There are plenty of examples where a prospective employee wants a business to give them a chance, but it can't because of the complicated laws they have to follow if it doesn't work out.

"Immigrants with overseas qualifications, people with convictions, long term unemployed, and those returning to the workforce all need an employer to give them a chance.

"The plasterer from Tauranga who was awarded thousands of dollars for being sacked after trying to steal fuel from his employer and involved in writing obscenities on a client's house highlights the problem employers' face."

ENDS

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