New Zealand Nurses Organisation media release, 5 December 2018

The New Zealand Nurses Organisation (NZNO) welcomes Employment Law improvements that will bring fairer and safer work.

NZNO Industrial Services Manager Cee Payne says it is heartening that we are returning to an employment law framework that restores the right for working people to have greater fairness and safety at work.

“Many workers in New Zealand are not covered by a collective agreement and, under the old law, had lost basic rights – such as a new employee’s right to mediation where there is an existing employment dispute, or just the right to regular meal and tea breaks.

“Restoring the right to a tea break sends a really important message that every working person has value and deserves the right to fair and safe work.”

Cee Payne said the changes are relatively easy to adopt for employers and will be effective for working people.

“We know these restored rights support good workplaces and safe work, because we’ve had similar provisions before and the evidence is there that they work.

“We’re encouraged by the progress the Government has made in this new employment law and we look forward to seeing ongoing progress towards fairer work and conditions.”

NZNO workplace delegate Nurse Erin Kennedy is also pleased with the law change.

“As a health professional I was really worried when hard-working New Zealanders started losing rights to a cup of tea and a break. Something like that can be really unsafe, and that’s not good for anybody – including employers.” 

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Media inquiries: Rob Zorn, NZNO Media and Communications Advisor: 027 431 2617.