Posted in Labour Department on May 21st, 2010
DYNAMICS ISSUE 7, May 2010
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| In this issue we highlight the large fall in the unemployment rate from 7.1% to 6%.
We take a look at our new Leading Indicator of Employment tool which predicts when there are likely to be significant changes in the labour market.
We also provide a brief insight into the latest research information including literacy and numeracy in the workforce, and employer-funded education and training.
To find out more – keep reading. |
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Household Labour Force Survey
Unemployment rate down to 6.0%. The March 2010 quarter fall in the unemployment rate was the largest drop since the HLFS began in 1986, a decline from 7.1% to 6%. This was driven by a fall in the number of unemployed males aged 15-24. Read more about the March 2010 HLFS data. |
Leading Indicator of Employment
The Department launched the Leading Indicator of Employment on 12 May. This indicator predicts when there are likely to be significant changes in the labour market.
The Indicator is quarterly and draws on five existing indicators by combining them.
Although the Indicator’s main function is to predict peaks and troughs in employment, it can also forecast employment growth for the subsequent three quarters.
The Indicator is predicting that employment is likely to grow between 0.1% and 0.5% in the next two quarters, and slightly more in the December 2010 quarter. The Leading Indicator of Employment will be issued quarterly, following the release of the Household Labour Force Survey. Read more about the Leading Indicator of Employment. |
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Regional Labour Market Information Meetings
During June and July, the Department of Labour will be coordinating a series of regional meetings with government organisations, business groups and tertiary education organisations (TEOs) to improve the level of knowledge on sources of labour market information. This will be particularly useful for TEOs in their investment planning for TEC funding as well as general business development purposes.
To find out more about these free meetings email Neil Cooper – Manager of Labour Market Skills: neil.coooper@dol.govt.nz |
Jobs Online
Online job advertisements for skilled vacancies rose by 8.6% in the three months to the end of April 2010. Growth increased in the following areas: construction and engineering (up 15.1%), sales, retail, marketing and advertising (up 11.4%), and IT (up 10.8%). Read more about Jobs Online. |
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Our Latest Research Reports
The ‘Workers with low literacy or numeracy skills: characteristics, jobs, and education and training patterns’ report explores the connection between low literacy and future education or training. It maps low literacy and numeracy skills by industry and occupation. Read more about this report.
Workforce Education and Training
‘Employer-funded education and training — who receives it?’ research report explores the factors that make employer-funded education and training more likely. A survey conducted in 2008 found that 31% of employees had received employer-funded education and training, in the previous 12 months. Skilled workers in the public sector were more likely to have received this training. Read more about this report.
‘Dynamics’ is a quarterly newsletter provided by Work Directions. Work Directions takes the leading role in providing analysis and insights about the New Zealand labour market. This includes coverage of recent trends and research on what the labour market will look like in the future.
If you would like to subscribe to this newsletter click on this link
To provide feedback about this newsletter please email info@dol.govt.nz |
Christmas and New Year
Holidays and Leave
This year’s Christmas and New Year public holidays are a bit tricky as they fall partially on the weekend.
The public holidays for Christmas and New Year’s Day fall on a Friday and are observed on the days they fall. That part is easy.
Boxing Day and the Day After New Year’s Day fall on a Saturday and special rules apply to them.
The three examples linked below show the 2009/10 holiday entitlements for some common working arrangements:
- Example 1 – employee who normally works Monday to Friday
- Example 2 – employee who normally works Monday to Saturday and is required to work work on Boxing and the Day after New Year’s Day this year
- Example 3 – employees who normally work Tuesday to Friday
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An employee is not entitled to more than four public holidays over the Christmas and New Year period.
You can work out holiday pay and leave with our Holidays Online Tool, or visit our website for more detailed information on:
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Posted in Labour Department on Nov 4th, 2009
The latest stats are below but you can read the full report HERE.
Wage Growth Report — September 2009 Quarter
- Annual wage growth in the adjusted Labour Cost Index was 2.1% in the September 2009 quarter, the lowest growth rate since 2002.
- The adjusted Labour Cost Index showed annual wage growth was the strongest in the education industry (up 3.7%) and health & community services (up 3.4%).
- Labour demand continued to weaken according to the Quarterly Employment Survey with filled jobs (seasonally adjusted by the Department of Labour) falling by 0.3% in the September 2009 quarter.
- The Quarterly Employment Survey results suggest that the official measure of employment, as measured by the HLFS, is likely to fall slightly.
- Wage growth is expected to continue to slow over 2009 and 2010 as the labour market continues to soften.
The Labour Department describes as the ‘Pay-as-you-go‘ method of paying Holiday Pay and there are only two situations when it is permissable.
Pay-as-you-go annual holiday pay is where an employee receives their holiday pay (calculated at a minimum of 8% of the gross earnings) added on top of and paid with their regular pay.
Under the Holidays Act 2003, an employee can be paid their holiday pay in this manner in one of the following two situations only:
1. The employee is on a genuine fixed term employment agreement of less than 12 months; or
2. The employees work pattern can be described as so irregular or infrequent that the concept of four weeks away from work is difficult to apply. For example, when an employee is only called into work to cover shifts as and when required – there is no defining event that would predict when the employee would be working.
If an employee does not fit into one of the above situations, then they will receive their four week annual holiday entitlement regardless of any amount that has already been paid.
The agreement for pay-as-you-go holiday pay must be written into the employee’s employment agreement and the holiday pay itself must be an identifiable component of the employee’s pay. On the termination of the employment relationship, no additional pay for annual holidays is due as the holiday pay has already been paid to the employee.
As can be seen, casual employees who work on a regular basis are not entitled to have their leave paid out each pay.
Posted in Labour Department on Sep 24th, 2009
Hopefully most employers and employees are aware of the Department of Labour and the services they provide, if not then you should be.
The main website provides a range of very useful tools for employers and employees such as:
In addition their other department – Employment Relations provides a range of useful booklets and factsheets.
We would be interested to know how you find the Department of Labour’s website and dealing with their staff, either at the Call Center or involvement with a Labour Inspector.
Post your feedback below.
