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HR Trends and Insights for New Zealand in 2024

As we move into the second quarter of 2024, the landscape of HR in New Zealand continues to evolve rapidly, driven by technological advancements, shifting workforce demographics, and changing employee expectations.  In this blog, we'll explore some key HR trends and insights that are shaping the future of work in New Zealand and discuss how organisations can adapt and thrive in this dynamic environment.Reskilling and Upskilling Initiatives:As automation and artificial intelligence reshape j...

Newsletter - Spring 23

To read our Spring 23 newsletter click here: HR Connect Spring 23 Newsletter ...

The Crucial Role of Capable Hiring Managers

In today's highly competitive job market, the role of hiring managers cannot be overstated.  As the decision makers for hiring the right talent for an organisation, their capabilities, or the lack thereof, can significantly impact a company's growth and prosperity. In this blog, we'll explore the critical role they play and why having the right skills is essential.1.      Identifying the Right TalentCompetent hiring managers possess a keen eye for spotting the right...

Newsletter - Winter 23

To read our winter 23 newsletter click here : HR Connect Winter 23 Newsletter...

Change Management and Outplacement Support

Change Management (Restructure)To meet changes in your business, you may need to structure your team in a different way. Whether this is ramping up with more team members, downsizing or changing roles to changing business requirements, our HR Specialists can develop and facilitate these processes. We ensure that the process is robust, thorough and that the outcomes meet your needs.Career Transition & Outplacement SupportCareer Transition Services: HR Connect's Change Management and Outp...

Hiring in 2023

It’s no secret that attracting and retaining good talent in today’s market is tough.  The last few years has seen unprecedented changes and challenges in the workforce, and these are expected to continue impacting all sectors in the market.  So how do you ensure you are prepared for these challenges?Best in Class Recruitment FunctionsOne of the most important factors is embedding an effective and innovative recruitment function that enables you to remain competitive in the market a...

The Fair Pay Agreement

What do businesses need to do right now? In a practical sense, there is nothing businesses need to do immediately to prepare for this change in employment relations. What is going to happen? Unions will be able to start sector-wide negotiations with employer associations to create mandatory agreements that set minimum terms and conditions for all employers in a sector, not just for a single employer. There could be multiple fair pay agreement processes across sectors. Pre-requisite to Fair Pay...

Spring Newsletter

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Newsletter - May 22

Read our May 22 newsletter  HERE...

Consultant Profile - Kristin Bayly

Tell us about yourself: My name is Kristin Bayly and I am an HR Consultant for HR Connect. I joined HR Connect in May last year after spending some time consulting on my own, so it was great to join a team of HR professionals who are really knowledgeable and passionate about what they do, and importantly a great bunch of people.  I live on a lifestyle block in Te Kowhai with my husband and two kids - my son Oliver is 6 and daughter Quinn is 4.  We enjoy a little slice of coun...

Medical Incapacity

When researching for this blog on the process of working through a Medical Incapacity situation, I originally thought a flowchart would be a good way to explain the process - everyone loves a flow chart, right? But I soon found out it’s just not that simple…. By definition, Medical Incapacity sounds pretty straight forward "when an employee is no longer able to do their job due to medical illness or injury.” Or as EMA states “an employee’s inability to fulfil their contractual obl...

Newsletter - February 2022

Click HERE to view our latest newsletter...

Oh My Omicron!

As we approach our third year of the pandemic life at work just seems to be getting more and more complicated. Omicron has changed the game for workplaces (again), with many companies asking for advice with how to prepare. In the news on recently Covid-19 Response Minister Chris Hipkins spoke with Mike Hosking about Covid modelling "It's a little bit like the weather forecast. Some nights they say it's going to rain tomorrow, and it turns out being a nice sunny day,". This came about because som...

Christmas Leave Explained

Christmas Leave 2021/22 This year, Christmas Day, Boxing Day, New Years Day and New Years Holiday all fall on a weekend.  Under the Holidays Act, when this happens, these Public Holidays are transferred and observed on the following Monday and Tuesday for those employees who do not normally work on a Saturday or Sunday. The 4 public holidays are: Christmas Day (25 December)Boxing Day (26 December)New Year’s Day (1 January)2 January. When Christmas public holidays fall on a weekend If Chri...

Newsletter - Nov 21

To read our latest newsletter- focusing on recruitment and retention during "The Great Resignation" click HERE...

The Grinch Who Stole Christmas Parties

We have heard recently that many companies in the Waikato and Auckland regions (and even further afield) and a whole bunch of our clients too are cancelling Christmas parties due to existing or potential Covid-19 restrictions and the uncertainty this brings. This may also be due to businesses suffering due to closures, restricted operations and a reduced Christmas party budget. Some businesses may have already organised and booked their 2021 Christmas party and have now had to throw those plans ...

Mental Health Awareness Week- Workplace Wellbeing

This week New Zealand acknowledges Mental Health Awareness - the focus being reimagining wellbeing together, acknowledging that this year has not been an easy one. For businesses it can be hard to know where to start, in this newsletter we will link you with ideas and resources to help you support your workers' mental health.Click HERE to view our HR Connect Workplace Wellbeing Newsletter....

Covid-19, Vaccinations and The Privacy Act

Covid 19, Vaccinations and The Privacy Act 2020 The recent resurgence of COVID 19 in New Zealand and the introduction of the vaccination campaign earlier this year has raised many questions for employers and employees around the application of the Privacy Act 2020. Back in July our HR Consultant Claire Pilton, wrote this blog answering COVID 19 vaccination FAQs: read this here The Covid 19 Vaccination and Your Employees. Further to this, lawyers Bundle Findlay state that "employers ...

Lockdown and obligations re employee payments

Lockdown and Obligations to Employee Payments With seven cases as of 1pm today and the confirmation of the Delta variant of Covid-19 in New Zealand, it is likely we will have a further increase in positive cases over the coming days and with that a potential extension of this initial lockdown period. Work and Income New Zealand have this morning announced the August 2021 Covid-19 Wage Subsidy- click here for details as they arise: Work and Income NZ August 21 Wage Subsidy As a result o...

Workplace Wellbeing - Where to start?

Wellbeing Programmes Our Health and Safety Consultant Lee Powell, has launched wellbeing programmes with previous employers and current clients. Lee advises that companies: Involve your employees from the start, with a survey, a committee or focus groups. Get employees to tell you what they want, NOT what you think they want. A quick online or paper survey could do the job. Having a naming competition is fun and gets people engaged, I have also done logo competitions too, we had some great entri...

Special Edition Newsletter - Workplace Wellbeing

View our special edition Workplace Wellbeing newsletter HERE to find out more about how easy it can be to run a wellbeing programme and the multiple benefits for your business and your employees....

Newsletter - June 2021

Read our June 2021 newsletter:HERE...

The Covid-19 Vaccination and your employees

A number of employers are asking questions about how to handle situations where employees choose not to get vaccinated, as well as what is appropriate to ask job applicants about their intended vaccination status.  Understandably, this is a matter fraught with uncertainty, because the Employment Relations Act 2000, the Health & Safety at Work Act 2015, and the Human Rights Act 1993, conflict with each other, in principle.  Employers do need to be sensitive to the fact that some people...

Newsletter April 21

Read our April 2021 Newsletter HERE...

Be prepared … new minimum wage rate coming 1st April 2021

For business owners, or managers who employ team members currently earning less than $20 per hour, the increase to the minimum wage is going to have a direct impact on your business. This may bring tension or stress to many businesses, especially given the ongoing changes to leave obligations that are being imposed on employers, including Matariki Public Holiday, Domestic Violence Leave, 10 days sick leave, and the addition of bereavement leave for miscarriage. Whether you support these changes...