Parental Leave Support with Employee First NZ

Welcome to Employee First NZ, your trusted partner in navigating workplace rights and parental leave entitlements in New Zealand. Our expert guidance is available anytime, anywhere, ensuring employees receive the support they need to understand and access their parental leave benefits with ease.

What is Parental Leave?

Parental leave in New Zealand is a legal entitlement that allows eligible employees to take time off work to care for a new baby or a child under 6 years old who comes into their care, such as through adoption or a whāngai arrangement. It includes several types of leave:

• Primary Carer Leave: Up to 26 weeks for employees who are pregnant, have given birth, or are taking permanent responsibility for a child’s care, provided they’ve worked at least 10 hours a week for the same employer for 6 months.

• Extended Leave: Up to 52 weeks (including primary carer leave) for employees who’ve worked 12 months or more, or up to 26 weeks for those employed for 6 months, minus any primary carer leave taken.

• Partner’s Leave: 1–2 weeks of unpaid leave for partners of the primary carer, depending on their employment duration (6 or 12 months).

• Negotiated Carer Leave: An option for employees who don’t qualify for primary carer leave but can negotiate leave with their employer, often to align with parental leave payments.

Parental leave ensures you can focus on your family while maintaining job security, supported by government-funded parental leave payments from Inland Revenue and potential employer top-ups.

What Are Your Rights?

As an employee in New Zealand, you have clear rights under the Parental Leave and Employment Protection Act 1987 to ensure fair treatment during parental leave:

• Eligibility: You don’t need to be a citizen or permanent resident to qualify. Eligibility depends on working an average of 10 hours a week for the same employer for at least 6 months (for primary carer or partner’s leave) or 12 months (for extended leave).

• Job Protection: Your employer must keep your job open for up to 4 weeks of parental leave, or longer unless your role is a key position or becomes redundant. If your job isn’t kept open, you’re entitled to a 26-week “period of preference” for similar roles.

• Flexible Arrangements: Upon returning to work, employers must consider requests for flexible hours or breastfeeding facilities, helping you balance work and family.

• Parental Leave Payments: Eligible employees can receive up to 26 weeks of government-funded payments from Inland Revenue. Preterm baby payments are available for premature births, and some employers offer additional payments or top-ups.

• Non-Discrimination: You cannot be dismissed for taking parental leave or be forced to start leave early without valid reasons, such as health and safety concerns during pregnancy.

• Keeping in Touch Days: You can work up to 64 hours during parental leave (excluding the first 28 days post-birth) to stay connected with your workplace without losing payment eligibility.

If your employer denies your leave or fails to follow the process, you can seek assistance from the Labour Inspectorate or the Employment Relations Authority to protect your rights.

How Employee First NZ Can Assist You

At Employee First NZ, we empower employees with expert guidance to navigate the complexities of parental leave. Our dedicated support, available 24/7, ensures you receive the advice you need to secure your workplace rights. Here’s how we can help:

• Personalised Guidance: We provide tailored advice based on your employment situation, helping you understand your parental leave eligibility, application process, and rights.

• Effortless Navigation: We simplify the process of requesting primary carer, extended, partner’s, or negotiated carer leave, ensuring you meet deadlines.

• Maximising Entitlements: We guide you on accessing parental leave payments and help you check your employment agreement for additional benefits like top-up payments or return-to-work bonuses.

• Resolving Issues: If you face challenges, such as an employer refusing leave or not keeping your job open, we offer advice to prepare you for discussions with your employer or provide representation.

• Support Anytime, Anywhere: Our assistance is accessible on your phone, tablet, or computer, ensuring you can get help whether you’re at home, work, or on the go.

Take the First Step: Contact Employee First NZ today to explore your parental leave options and secure your workplace rights with confidence. Our dedicated support helps you focus on your family while we handle the workplace complexities.