Public Warned About Surcharges On Easter Sunday

Public Warned About Being Surcharged On Easter Sunday, But Sunday ANZAC fine

An Auckland retail advocate is warning Easter Sunday café-goers not to put up with any surcharges tomorrow.

“Easter Sunday is not an official public holiday. However people get confused because of the major retail restrictions in place on Easter Sunday and because it’s part of a public holiday weekend,” says Cameron Brewer, chief executive of the Newmarket Business Association.

“The reality is the likes of café owners are not paying their staff time and a half and a day in lieu, so there’s no need for them to pass on any extra costs on Easter Sunday. Surcharges are applied by many cafes on Good Friday and Easter Monday because they are public holidays and café staff are paid more under the 2003 Holidays Act to work on those days.

“Some people get naturally confused on Easter Sunday because most shops are shut, yet cafes are allowed to open if they provide ready to eat food.

“We’re keen to remind people that surcharges don’t apply on Easter Sunday, so you shouldn’t have to put up with any.”

Mr Brewer says in three weeks time there’ll be more confusion with ANZAC day falling on a Sunday this year.

“ANZAC Day will also cause some confusion this year, because it falls on a Sunday. However while it’s never ‘Monday-ised,’ ANZAC Day is nonetheless always a public holiday. Many cafes will legitimately charge surcharges on ANZAC Day. It’s also important to note that the whole of ANZAC Day is a public holiday, despite retail restrictions being lifted from 1pm.

“There will be confusion on these two April Sundays, simply because Easter Sunday feels a like a public holiday while this year’s ANZAC Day won’t. The short of it is, you shouldn’t be surcharged on Easter Sunday, but you could be on ANZAC Day,” says Cameron Brewer.

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