4 ms·

Specifically what I understood about NZ labor law is that you can't easily fire someone that isn't working out for whatever reason. You have to have a history

Specifically what I understood about NZ labor law is that you can't easily fire someone that isn't working out for whatever reason. You have to have a history of documentation and written warnings to validate the cause. While this can be nice for an employee. An early stage company can easily get sunk by this. Again, this is just what I understood from talking to others but it was enough to make me nervous about doing any hiring there. It certainly can and does work for people regardless. Good luck with your venture.

tmnvix 10y ago
Thanks. As far as letting go of employees that aren't working out, NZ industrial relations legislation does include provision for a trial period that can be included in an employment contract. This trial period can be up to 90 days. https://employment.govt.nz/starting-employment/trial-and-probationary-periods/trial-periods/ https://employment.govt.nz/starting-employment/trial-and-pro...
mdekkers 10y ago
You have to have a history of documentation and written warnings to validate the cause. The UK is the same. Actually, most civilized countries have similar laws. You can't sack people at will (something I personally believe to be a terrible practice) and you have to have a good reason to do so. Never had a problem firing people that had to be fired. Just keep records, do things by the book. It isn't as onerous as it sounds. Send some emails, send some letters, most of the times nothing will be a surprise for anybody anyway.
- joshontheweb 10y ago
  I certainly believe in giving people multiple chances but I'm not interested in involving the gov't in these sorts of decisions. Guess I'm uncivilized.
  - mdekkers 10y ago
    That is a rather simplistic and incorrect view. The Government isn't involved directly, other then the fact that they make some rules about how you have to treat staff. These rules tend to be balanced so as to limit risks for both parties.
    - joshontheweb 10y ago
      Not being able to legally fire an employee that isn't working out can put a lethal amount of stress on a new company. New Zealand can do whatever they like but this can deter new businesses from operating there. Which is fine but is worth knowing about before you do so. That is all I'm saying.
      - mdekkers 10y ago
        Not being able to legally fire an employee that isn't working out can put a lethal amount of stress on a new company. I don't know where you get the idea that you cannot legally fire an employee. You can fire employees, and I have fired a fair share myself. You just have to do it correctly.

tmnvix 10y ago

Thanks. As far as letting go of employees that aren't working out, NZ industrial relations legislation does include provision for a trial period that can be included in an employment contract. This trial period can be up to 90 days. https://employment.govt.nz/starting-employment/trial-and-probationary-periods/trial-periods/ https://employment.govt.nz/starting-employment/trial-and-pro...

mdekkers 10y ago

You have to have a history of documentation and written warnings to validate the cause. The UK is the same. Actually, most civilized countries have similar laws. You can't sack people at will (something I personally believe to be a terrible practice) and you have to have a good reason to do so. Never had a problem firing people that had to be fired. Just keep records, do things by the book. It isn't as onerous as it sounds. Send some emails, send some letters, most of the times nothing will be a surprise for anybody anyway.

joshontheweb 10y ago
I certainly believe in giving people multiple chances but I'm not interested in involving the gov't in these sorts of decisions. Guess I'm uncivilized.
- mdekkers 10y ago
  That is a rather simplistic and incorrect view. The Government isn't involved directly, other then the fact that they make some rules about how you have to treat staff. These rules tend to be balanced so as to limit risks for both parties.
  - joshontheweb 10y ago
    Not being able to legally fire an employee that isn't working out can put a lethal amount of stress on a new company. New Zealand can do whatever they like but this can deter new businesses from operating there. Which is fine but is worth knowing about before you do so. That is all I'm saying.
    - mdekkers 10y ago
      Not being able to legally fire an employee that isn't working out can put a lethal amount of stress on a new company. I don't know where you get the idea that you cannot legally fire an employee. You can fire employees, and I have fired a fair share myself. You just have to do it correctly.