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COVID-19 – What Are The Employment Considerations?

March 15th

UPDATE #1: 16 MARCH 2020

 

At Grow HR we're keeping a close eye on COVID-19 and will be advising when there are changes that could impact employment matters in New Zealand.

 

The Government's current travel restrictions

 

  • The New Zealand Government is currently encouraging New Zealanders to avoid all non-essential travel overseas.
  • From 1am, Monday 16 March 2020 every person entering New Zealand, from anywhere in the world, apart from the Pacific Islands, will be required to self-isolate for 14 days and register with Healthline (0800 358 5453).  This will apply until at least 31 March 2020.
  • A complete travel ban for China and Iran remains in place.

 

Present implications for New Zealand businesses

 

To help with your business operations and planning, we'll be updating you throughout the COVID-19 pandemic on employment-related issues. We'll maintain a summary of common questions being asked in relation to employment, and at a practical level what business owners and employers could be doing to manage the impact.

 

Summary of common questions

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Question #1:

  • What do I need to communicate to staff?

Considerations:

  • What can staff be doing at work to help with keeping Covid-19 controlled?
  • What travel and self-isolation requirements do you need staff to be telling you about, and what do you need to be telling them about?
  • What business impacts are being experienced or could be experienced that you need to be telling staff about?

What employers could be doing: 

  • Working with your health and safety specialists to identify controls and measures.
  • Putting together guidance for staff so they are aware of what they are required to do, and what they need to tell you.
  • Continue to update staff if there are any changes that could impact them.

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Question #2:

  • What do I do if staff are travelling internationally for business, or due to in the short term? 

Considerations:

  • What international travel restrictions could affect their work-related travel?
  • What arrangements could be put in place if a staff member could not work because of travel or other businesses restrictions?
  • How essential does that international travel continue to be?
  • What arrangements can you put in place if they are impacted by countries travel restrictions?
  • What work will they be able to do remotely or if they do in self-isolation on return if they have travelled? 
  • How will you continue to pay any other period of any travel restrictions or self-isolation on their return?

What employers could be doing: 

  • Keep up to date with travel advisories and rearrange travel as needed – visit this link
  • Test remote working arrangements, technologies.
  • Consider what ability you have to change travel arrangements at short notice.
  • Check travel and business insurances for travel changes and business interruption covers.
  • Seek advice on pay and leave obligations.

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Question #3:

Are any staff currently travelling internationally for leisure?

Considerations:

  • Will they be required to self-isolate on their return?
  • Can staff currently work remotely if they cannot return or are required to self-isolate on their return?

What employers could be doing:

  • Keep up to date with travel advisories – visit this link
  • Consider and test remote working arrangements.
  • Consider requests for annual leave for period of self-isolation if the staff member is not sick.

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Question #4:

  • Are any staff due to be travelling internationally for business or leisure?

Considerations:

  • Can travel be rearranged until restrictions are lifted?
  • What communications should be maintained if staff do travel?
  • What could be the arrangements if they cannot return or need to self-isolate on return?
  • What happens if a staff member contracts or is diagnosed with COVID-19 while overseas?

What employers could be doing:

  • Require staff to notify international travel plans well in advance.
  • Consider requests for changes to dates or additional dates for annual holidays.
  • Keep up to date with travel advisories – visit this link
  • Test remote working arrangements.
  • Consider what leave options staff could have if they are required to self-isolate and cannot work.

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Question #5

  • What if a staff member is diagnosed with COVID-19.

Considerations:

  • Who could they have come into contact with at work or elsewhere?
  • Can you continue your business operations?
  • Can your staff work remotely?

What employers could be doing:

  • Contact Healthline for the latest advice 0800 358 5453
  • Test your remote working arrangements.
  • Check your business insurances and employment agreements for business interruption cover.

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Further assistance

If you need any assistance at all with addressing employment issues or preparing communications to staff please don't hesitate to contact us on team@growhr.co.nz or by phoning 06 878 5454. Further employment related guidance can be found on the Employment New Zealand website here.

 

Official Sources Of COVID-19 Information

 

 

 

*Above image as seen on TVNZ 15 March 2020.

Contact Grow HR now. Phone (06) 878 5454