Employers and employees must discuss in good faith the implications of COVID-19 on their working arrangements. Where changes to current working arrangements are proposed by an employer, there are specific good faith requirements that must be followed. Any changes made should follow consulting with employees and their representatives, providing time to respond to proposals and considering their comments.

Last week the Government announced it will provide interest-free loans for a year to small businesses impacted by the COVID-19 to support their immediate cash flow needs and meet fixed costs.

At 4pm Friday 27 March 2020, modifications to the wage subsidy scheme were announced by the government.

The Government announced further modifications to the Wage Subsidy Scheme this afternoon.

We answer common questions about the NZ Wage Subsidy for employers.

The NZ Government has compiled Wage subsidy and Leave Payment available to support employers affected by COVID-19. The subsidy is being administered under a high trust model and employers will not be asked for verification before the subsidy is approved. However MSD will have the ability to check applications and verify information at a later date.

New operational statement clarifies and simplifies the tax rules around employer-provided travel to distant workplaces.

The prescribed rate used to calculate fringe benefit tax on low-interest, employment-related loans has decreased from 5.77% to 5.26% effective 1 October 2019. Our website has been updated.

SmartPayroll has been advised by banks they work with that there is a new email fraud scheme circulating that involves payroll. We make you aware of what to look out for.

It's time to shift to payday filing. Remember, by law all employers must switch to payday filing by 1 April 2019.

Remember, the law has changed so all employers must switch to payday filing by 1 April 2019.

Who really can afford the costs of making a hiring mistake these days, as well as the costs of separating mistakes from your business? The answer lies in extending your recruitment process and making it more reliable and accurate.

Non-monetary gifts to employees at Christmas may be unclassified fringe benefits (UFBs) and could be subject to fringe benefit tax (FBT). 

Just how widespread is CV Cheating and what can you do about it?

A recent review of the Commissioner’s mileage rate results in a reduction to the rate to 72 cents per kilometre for both petrol and diesel fuel vehicles for the 2016 income year.  

As a business owner, are you struggling to keep up with all the intricate changes to NZ employment and human resources (HR) laws?

Are you concerned about the increasing fines and penalties for business for not paying employees correctly? Or not having the correct documents and getting it wrong? How would you feel being taken to court by your employees or, worse still, the government?  

Paid parental leave in New Zealand will increase from 16 to 18 weeks in April 2016.

To be eligible for the increase, the baby must be due or born on or after 1 April 2016.

IRD proposes updating how employee car parking spaces are treated for fringe benefits tax.

Whilst the new ruling is yet to be adopted, it's worth getting your head around it now.