What Can Sick Leave Be Used For Nz

Sick leave can be used when you are unable to work due to illness or injury, providing you have given your employer reasonable proof that you are too ill to work. In New Zealand, the law states that employers must provide each employee with five days of paid sick leave every year upon request. This means that employees can take time off work to recover from an illness or injury and still receive pay during their leave period. This article will explain what sick leave in New Zealand can be used for and how it works.Under the New Zealand Holidays Act 2003, Sick Leave is defined as “leave from work with pay for an employee who is unable to work due to personal illness or injury”. An employee who takes sick leave must be able to provide evidence of their inability to work due to an illness or injury. The Act states that an employee can take up to 5 days of sick leave in any 12-month period.

Sick Leave in New Zealand

Employees in New Zealand are entitled to sick leave depending on the type of work they do and the hours they work. Although there is no mandatory minimum, New Zealand employers must provide at least five days of paid sick leave for full-time employees each year. Part-time employees are entitled to a pro-rata amount based on the number of hours they work.

In addition to the five days of paid sick leave, part time and casual employees may be given up to an additional two days of unpaid sick leave per year. Employees may also be eligible for unpaid personal leave if they need to take time off for medical appointments or other medical reasons.

In the event that an employee is unable to work due to sickness, they may apply for the Sickness Benefit through Work and Income NZ. This benefit provides financial support for up to 14 weeks while someone is unable to work due to illness or injury. To qualify, a person must have lost at least 30% of their usual income due to their illness or injury and meet other specific criteria.

Sickness Benefit can be used alongside any accrued sick leave entitlements an employee may have within their contract, allowing them to extend the length of time off with financial support if needed. It is important that employers understand their obligations when it comes to providing sick leave and keeping up-to-date records, as this will ensure all employees have access to appropriate entitlements under the law.

Is There A Minimum Wage for Sick Leave in New Zealand?

Yes, there is a minimum wage for sick leave in New Zealand. The country’s employment laws and regulations require employers to pay their employees the minimum wage when they take time off work due to an illness or injury.

The minimum wage for sick leave in New Zealand is determined by the Employment Relations Authority (ERA). It is based on the relevant industry award or collective agreement. This means that the amount of money an employee will be paid for sick leave will depend on the type of job they do and their level of seniority or experience.

The ERA also sets out the conditions that must be met in order for an employee to receive full pay when taking sick leave. These conditions include having been employed by their employer for at least six months, having worked at least 85 percent of their rostered hours in the last 12 months, and notifying their employer of their ill health within 24 hours of it occurring.

Employers are required to keep accurate records of all sick leave taken by their employees, including details such as start and end dates, reason for absence and amount paid. This information must be provided to employees upon request.

It is important to note that while there is a national minimum wage for sick leave in New Zealand, employers may choose to offer more generous entitlements than this. This could include offering additional financial support or other forms of assistance such as flexible working arrangements upon return from leave. It is always worthwhile checking with your employer what benefits they offer when taking sick leave before making any final decisions.

In summary, there is a national minimum wage for paid sick leave in New Zealand which must be observed by employers as set out by the Employment Relations Authority. However, some employers may choose to provide additional benefits above and beyond this legal requirement so it’s always worth checking what your employer can offer you if you need time off due to illness or injury.