Push for Employers to Support Rugby World Cup Petition
Media Release: Embargoed until 10 September
2015
Push for Employers to Support Rugby World Cup Petition
10 September 2015 – A petition advocating for a later start to the standard work day during the Rugby World Cup has kicked off.
The petition, “Push Back For Black” calls for employers to change their standard working hours to 10am-6pm rather than the standard 9am-5pm , to allow employees to catch early morning Rugby World Cup matches before heading into work for the day.
NZME radio brands Hauraki, Radio Sport and ZM together with the NZ Herald were among the first to support the petition.
NZ Herald managing editor Shayne Currie urged other New Zealand employers to follow suit.
“As a loyal rugby fan I signed the petition without hesitation. To allow New Zealanders the opportunity to stay up during the night to watch the All Blacks play without the worry of having to get up early for work seems the patriotic thing to do.”
Although aimed at New Zealand employers, the petition is bound to appeal to any rugby fan.
Currie is positive Kiwis will embrace the petition as another way of showing our support for the All Blacks. “New Zealanders are so passionate about their boys in black and if they can’t physically be at the games, watching them live is the next best thing. Anything we can do to make it easy should be wholeheartedly supported.”
Radio Hauraki host, Leigh Hart was ready to sign at any time.
“Considering I don't start my Bhuja radio show until 6pm, my working day doesn't really start until 5.55pm and by that time all the interesting people in the office I like to catch up with for an after work drink have already left. It would be nice if people could start at ten, and then stick around at the other end of the day - it's not easy doing a one hour radio show every day. Push Back For Black and for me! Bring it on.”
NZME together with its brands including Newstalk ZB, The Hits, Coast, Flava, GrabOne along with regional papers Hawkes Bay Today, Wairarapa Times Age, Bay of Plenty Times, Rotorua Daily Post, Wanganui Chronicle and the Northern Advocate have also shown their support by signing the petition.
To sign the petition to support changing the start of the working day to 10am for the duration of the Cup, go to www.pushbackforblack.co.nz
Support the AB’s and #PushBack4Black ENDS