The Employment Relations (Flexible Working Arrangements) Act was passed in the New Zealand Parliament in late 2007. It was brought into place to provide guidelines to both employers and employees in relation to more flexible working arrangements.
The changes in the legislation came into effect on 1 July 2008, and provide employees with the ability to propose changes to their work environment, including the place they work, the hours and the days.
If you have been working for a company in New Zealand for six months, and are responsible for the care of another person such as a child, or elderly parent, you are eligible to request changes. Your request must to include details of how the outcome will benefit the person for whom you are caring.
Your employer is then required to consider your request and follow firm guidelines in response. To refuse a request, an employer’s reasoning must meet specific criteria. These may include their need to be open for specific hours or at a specific place, your length of time under their employ, or your proven need to care for a dependant.
If you dispute the decision handed down by your employer, you are then able to seek assistance. You can first request a Labour Inspector look into the matter and to help advise your employer. If this is unsuccessful you can ask for mediation to resolve the situation. If this still does not produce the desired result, you are then able to involve the Employment Relations Authority who will investigate whether you are eligible and the correct process was followed.
SOURCE: Department of Labour