90 day trial for workers

From today, employers will be able to offer jobs to workers for a 90 day trial period. Both the employer and the worker will have to agree to this trial. Only small businesses with under 20 workers can do this. At the end of 90 days, if the worker is not good at the job, he or she will have to leave.

Under the old law made in 2000, it is hard to sack workers. An employer needs a good reason and workers can complain to the Department of Labour if they think this is not fair. Employers are sometimes worried about giving a job to someone who has no experience. This new law could make it easier for immigrants who don’t have New Zealand experience to get a job.

The unions are worried, however, that employers will sack a worker after 90 days then try another worker for another 90 days. If this happens, they say they will name the business in the newspapers so that everyone will know.