Can you sell your holidays yet?

[MadDuck]

I think the Holidays Act needs a bit of flexibility. Unfortunately there are employers out there that will just screw their employees any chance they can.

For instance we have part time staff that may only work Sundays. We need 7 day cover. Then they are entitled to leave so we have to let them have time off so have to ask our full timers to cover....its just stoopid!

[neels]

Unfortunately there are employers out there that will just screw their employees any chance they can.

Unfortunately that be the problem. Fucks it for reasonable people with reasonable employers.

[gammaguy]

....but you sound like such a fun guy to be around!

yup.which is why im wanted somewhere overseas.

[Tank]

yup.which is why im wanted somewhere overseas.

Mainly by the people still here.

I'm sick of the people bagging NZ - and are glad they are fucking off. It has its faults - but is still one of the best places in the world to live. Anyway - byeeeeee and dont let the door hit you in the arse on the way out.

[Crasherfromwayback]

yeah,and lets face it,money is far more important than people spending time with their kids,family,friends,or taking time to communicate and build relationships isnt it.

no wonder this countrys going to the dogs.

glad im leaving.

as you were

NZ won't miss you.

[doc]

Last time I heard anything about selling holidays, it was explained that the intention was that you get a cash sum for that week you surrender and it meant you lost that week each year while you were employed. No further payments for it .

[Clockwork]

Some years ago when it was legal to sell leave over and above the 3 weeks (as at that time) allowed for under the holidays act I sold a weeks leave back to my employer. All very well and good but of course the tax man helped himself to 40% of my holiday pay.

It occurred to me that if I had just taken the leave I wouldn't be required to spend 40% of my holiday time working for the Government. That was the first and last time I ever sold my leave entitlement. I don't normally mind paying my share of income tax but that one really pissed me off.

[Oakie]

I've done it a few times over the years at the employee's request if the circumstances warrant it ... which is generally something to do with reducing stress on the employee. Always done with the boss's explicit approval and with a written 'understanding' between employer and employee
Examples:
a guy who needed $1200 for car repairs and needed his car for work;
a woman who guaranteed a loan for a 'friend' and finished up having to pay $3000 to cover the debt;
a guy who got in to a mess and my GM helped him sort stuff out, part of which was covered by cashing up. (Did that twice actually)

It is illegal but in the right circumstances it it a victimless crime and I'll do it if I know I'd be comfortable arguing my case to a Labour Inspector. There is risk involved because if the person decided later on that they wanted to take their annual leave after all, the employer would have to grant it. No form of written agreement can contract out of the Holidays Act provisions.

If you are one of those employees who have to be replaced when they are on leave then there is a little leverage as you can point out to the employer that they will be saving themselves the cost of covering you while on leave if they cash you up.

Someone mentioned additional tax. If the payroll person is doing their job there should be no implication tax wise as if the person is being paid leave days to make the pay the equivalent of say two pay periods then they should be taxed as if it had been earned over two periods.

Final word ... the best one of these arrangements I've been involved in was when a workmate had a child who needed to have a heart op in Auckland. (Cost of flights, accommodation and all that.) We all gave up a day of our annual leave which was then 'paid' (taxed accordingly) into the relevant account which had been set up for the purpose. Very cool. I'm going to do that one again soon to buy a couple of mobile defibrillators for work

[Ixion]

Final word ... the best one of these arrangements I've been involved in was when a workmate had a child who needed to have a heart op in Auckland. (Cost of flights, accommodation and all that.) We all gave up a day of our annual leave which was then 'paid' (taxed accordingly) into the relevant account which had been set up for the purpose. Very cool. I'm going to do that one again soon to buy a couple of mobile defibrillators for work

I like that. Now that's socialism in action!