Small to Medium Sized Businesses now have option of 90-day trial

From 1 March employers in small to medium sized businesses will have the option of taking on new staff on a trial period for up to 90 days. This will allow employers to test a new employee’s suitability for permanent employment, without the risk of legal proceedings for unjustified dismissal if employment is terminated.

Employers that employ 19 or fewer workers can use the new trial provisions. You may employee part time, full time and casual workers as long as the total number not does exceed 19 workers.

Only new workers can be put on a trial period. If a worker has previously worked for you, they can’t be put on a trial period. For example, a worker who has worked for you for 6 months in 2006 and then applies for a position with you in 2009 can’t be put on a trial period.

When a worker agrees to a trial period it must be recorded in writing in the employment agreement. A trial period that is not recorded in writing is invalid.

The trial provision in the employment agreement needs to cover;

• that the worker is serving a trial period for a specified time starting at the beginning of the worker’s employment (no longer than 90 days); and
• that the employer may dismiss the worker during the trial period; and
• if the worker is dismissed he or she cannot bring a personal grievance or other legal proceedings in respect of the dismissal

If a worker is unsuccessful during the trial period and employment is terminated, you are under no obligation to provide a reason for the dismissal. Nor will the dismissed worker be able take a personal grievance for unjustified dismissal; however, a personal grievance may be taken if issues of discrimination such as racial or sexual harassment arise.

A worker cannot raise a personal grievance for unjustified dismissal if he/she is dismissed during the trial period. This rule applies even if the notice of the dismissal is given before the end of the trial period and the worker’s last day of work is after the end of the trial period.

Employers must abide by the notice provisions in the employment agreement.
If the employment agreement does not have a notice period, you must give reasonable notice of the dismissal.

For further information go to www.dol.govt.nz

The Northland Chamber of Commerce is the networking, education, advocacy and marketing group for Northland business, and is part of a nationwide network of 30 and a world-wide movement of 21,000 chambers. Subscription to the free fortnightly chamber e-news can be arranged on info@northchamber.co.nz. Enquiries to 09-4384771 or www.northchamber.co.nz, www.kaiparachamber.co.nz and www.farnorthchamber.co.nz
You can have a say on this by going to the Northland Chamber of Commerce Feedback website on www.northchamber.blogspot.com

Northland Business SME Relief Package – A Useful Start


The Small Business Relief Package is a welcome investment in the small-business (SME) sector, said Northland Chamber of Commerce head Jeff Smith

The Northland Chamber of Commerce today applauded the Government sponsored list of initiatives for small businesses saying that It was a good start and encouraged businesses to take a long term ‘ beyond the recession’ approach.

The SME sector – making up over 95% of all businesses and the largest employer group overall – is the most vulnerable sector in Northland. We must invest in them and the people they employ.

The tax package will assist cash flow which right now is king for business,” he said. We are heartened by the number of businesses in Northland adopting an attitude of lets improve our practices as opposed to iving on the dire predictions they are hearing from many quarters.

The other good initiative is around the health check package announced today. Businesses can now go online, complete a short business assessment and receive resources and assistance in those areas they require the most assistance with. The health check can be accessed through the Northland Chamber of Commerce and Far North Chamber of Commerce Websites

The Northland Chamber of Commerce is the networking, education, advocacy and marketing group for Northland business, and is part of a nationwide network of 30 and a world-wide movement of 21,000 chambers. Subscription to the free fortnightly chamber e-news can be arranged on info@northchamber.co.nz. Enquiries to 09-4384771 or www.northchamber.co.nz, www.kaiparachamber.co.nz and www.farnorthchamber.co.nz
You can have a say on this by going to the Northland Chamber of Commerce Feedback website on www.northchamber.blogspot.com

Are you going to be at the Northland Business Expo?

In these times of uncertainty, increasing marketing costs, the winners in business especially in the small and medium sized business sector will be those that adapt and try new marketing tactics and strategies.

The first Northland Business Expo is being held in April 2009. The Expo provides an opportunity for a number of businesses to slash their marketing costs, gather new business leads and to test and measure the effectiveness of their expo investment. Organised by Biz Builders, the two-day expo for business owners brings together every kind of product and service required by a business owner or manager.

The event has already attracted national business brands through to local service providers. It’s all in one place at one time for the time-poor business owner or manager.

The intention of the Northland Business Expo is to put yourself in front of hundreds of other businesses and business people. Attendees can check out the latest business products and services on the market; renew, set up or benchmark existing contracts from telecommunications to office stationery; find a business mentor; get free advice on issues ranging from taxation to human resources issues and network with hundreds of other business owners.

There will be a range of exhibitors across all sectors most probably including your sector, along with displays, people, agencies and companies offering specialized business advice. A Dozen free & informative business talks and seminars will be held throughout the duration of the expo.

If you are in Business it would be a great investment of your time and money to get yourself in front of hundreds of other businesses and start that all important relationship building. For more information click on the Expo link on the Northland Chamber of Commerce front page.

See you there in April.

The Northland Chamber of Commerce is the networking, education, advocacy and marketing group for Northland business, and is part of a nationwide network of 30 and a world-wide movement of 21,000 chambers. Subscription to the free fortnightly chamber e-news can be arranged on info@northchamber.co.nz. Enquiries to 09-4384771 or www.northchamber.co.nz, www.kaiparachamber.co.nz and www.farnorthchamber.co.nz
You can have a say on this by going to the Northland Chamber of Commerce Feedback website on www.northchamber.blogspot.com