The Canterbury Chamber of Commerce has put together a useful document of things you can and can’t do in relation to you staff in the event of an emergency.
You can read the article HERE!
Staff Issues during an Emergency
Posted: March 4, 2011 by SpaceBug in EarthquakeTags: Christchurch Earthquake, Staff Issues
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Kohler New Zealand helps out in Christchurch
Posted: March 4, 2011 by SpaceBug in EarthquakeTags: Kohler New Zealand Ltd
Christchurch residents desperate for a long, hot shower will be in for a treat from Monday (7 March).
Kohler New Zealand Ltd, manufacturers of Englefield bathroomware, are sending New Zealand’s largest purpose-built mobile shower to the Canterbury region.
Housed within a massive 14 metre truck and trailer, the unit contains 14 showers, holds 6,000 litres of water and runs off a gas-powered generator. Up to 170 showers per hour can be taken.
Working with Civil Defence and the Christchurch City Council, Englefield has agreed to strategically position the shower unit for at least six weeks in areas that do not have running water, providing free showers to residents and communities. The unit will be moved to a different location each day, to maximise coverage. Daily locations will be advised by Civil Defence, radio stations and local media.
John Bourke, managing director for Kohler NZ, said: “We discussed the best way we could help and decided people living without power or water would really appreciate having a hot shower. The Englefield mobile shower will be able to go to the worst affected part of town.”
Bourke said Kohler New Zealand’s trading partners all jumped at the chance to help Canterbury in a way that would not burden the already stressed emergency services and volunteers in the region.
Flyways Transport donated the truck required to pull the massive Englefield mobile shower unit from Auckland to Christchurch, Interisland ferries donated free passage across Cook Strait and back, and Strait Freight donated a driver to move the unit from location to location. Kohler Power Systems and Transdiesel donated the power generation system.
Bourke said Englefield personnel, and other volunteers will be staffing the unit but more volunteers may be needed. Anyone in Christchurch wanting to help can call 0800 100 382 to register.
Thanks Kohler, you are champions.
Today we received a wonderful ‘pick-you-up’ from one of our clients, Mud House Wines.
It was a lovely surprise and we are very grateful to them, and everyone else who have been so kind to us.
Thanks Mud House!
Your Obligations due to the Earthquake
Posted: March 3, 2011 by SpaceBug in EarthquakeTags: Christchurch Earthquake, Earthquake Support Subsidy
Information for Employers:
- If you do not have business insurance, or if your policy does not cover lost remuneration for employees, contact your staff and talk to them about what options are available.
- Your employees will be financially and emotionally under pressure as will you. Try and work through the issues by discussion and agreement where possible.
- You may allow employees to take annual holidays, alternative holidays (days in lieu), sick leave (where the employee is sick or injured), annual leave in advance of entitlements. This is a matter for agreement between you and your employees. Where an employee does not agree to take annual leave, an employer cannot require them to do so until the employer has given the employee 14 days’ notice of such requirement to take leave.
- Where your employees do not have any leave entitlements, or if you are unable or unwilling to agree to staff taking leave in advance, you will have to decide whether or not to pay staff where employees are not actually able to work. In the first instance check to determine whether you are eligible for the earthquake support subsidy (hyperlink to winz) and/or whether your business interruption insurance provides cover for loss of wages. This may provide a sufficient buffer for your business to continue paying wages – at least in the short term. You should seek advice from your own business and legal advisors.
What are your obligations to your employees if your business is significantly damaged?
In these circumstances there is likely to be significant impact on the business at least in the short term. As previously advised check your insurance policies to ascertain the extent of cover and whether it provides for payment to staff and the limits of such cover.
If the business is able to relocate or closure is for a relatively short time this may be sufficient to tide things over. Otherwise agreement to utilise annual holidays, alternative holidays or anticipated leave may be considered – as detailed above.
You should also see if you qualify for the Eartquake Subsidy provided by WINZ. Check it out HERE!
Until further notice, if you are posting us anything can you please send it to:
1 Springvale Gardens
Harewood
CHRISTCHURCH 8051
Our post box is currently out of bounds.
Hi all,
We have a new fax number if you need to fax anything.
The number is 03 281-8484
Telecom is trying to divert our old number to this but they seem to be having problems for some reason.
Earthquake Support Subsidy
Posted: February 28, 2011 by SpaceBug in EarthquakeTags: Earthquake Support Subsidy
If your business is based in Christchurch and you have been directly affected by the Earthquake and experiencing difficulty in trading or paying your staff, then you may be eligible for the Earthquake Support Subsidy.
The Subsidy is available for six weeks and will pay you $500 per week per full-time employees, or $300 per week for part-time employees.
For more information, and to apply click HERE!
Earthquake Update 8
Posted: February 28, 2011 by SpaceBug in EarthquakeTags: Christchurch Earthquake
Our phones are now working for incoming calls.
