A free employment seminar organised by the Queenstown Citizens Advice Bureau in conjunction with Janet Copeland Law will be held in Queenstown today, covering employment law changes and how to follow the correct disciplinary process.
Office co-ordinator Gabby Lake, of Queenstown, said the bureau had monthly training sessions for its volunteers, but this was the first time a session had been opened up to the public.
Two one-hour sessions would be held today, presented by Julia Shallcrass of Janet Copeland Law, beginning with an overview of employment law changes, educating employers and employees on what the changes are and how they could affect businesses and organisations.
The content would include an overview of changes to the Employment Relations Act 2000, Holidays Act 2003 and Minimum Wage Act and include information on when the 90-day trial period could be used; how an employee could "cash up" the fourth week of annual holidays; when an employee could be required to provide a medical certificate; the new minimum wage; and the new increased penalties.
Another session, entitled "Ready, Aim, Fire", would take people through the correct disciplinary process and explore how to deal with investigation and disciplinary meetings.
That would include how to conduct a fair process; what the new legislation required in disciplinary situations; what was a fair and reasonable decision; and when an employee could be dismissed.
There would also be question and answer sessions at the end of each seminar.
The employment legislation changes seminar would be held from 10am to 11am today, with the disciplinary session being held from 11am to noon. Both will be held at the St John Ambulance Rooms, Douglas St, Frankton.
Anyone interested in attending can contact Citizens Advice on (03) 442-6799 or email cab.queenstown.co.nz.
