Reminder over employment law

A rise in cases of illegal working conditions has seen an Auckland volunteer organisation issue a warning to employers.

The Papakura Citizens Advice Bureau has handled 1172 queries relating to clients without employment contracts since 2013.

Across the country there have been 473 such cases reported from December to May this year.

Papakura bureau manager Judy Boyd said employers were breaking the law by denying workers a written employment agreement.

‘‘When there is no written employment agreement, employees are vulnerable to being treated badly by their employer.

‘‘People are dependent on keeping their jobs in order to feed their families and pay the rent, so they are often reluctant to rock the boat even though they are aware that what their employer is doing is wrong’’, Boyd said.

The figures come on the back of a recently published CAB report which shows clients throughout New Zealand dealing with a range of employment breaches.

Bureau social policy adviser Jayne McKendry said the report highlighted ’’clear abuses of employees’ rights’’ which are ‘‘very clearly stated in the law’’.

‘‘We have seen situations of employees not being paid wages owed to them, having their hours of work changed without discussion, and even being fired on the spot for taking a day’s sick leave.’’

McKendry said businesses had to know what their obligations to staff are.

‘‘If you don’t know what’s legally required of you as an employer, it’s time you found out. There is plenty of information and support available to help you.’’

*The Citizens Advice Bureau is an independent community organisation with 83 offices throughout New Zealand.