What are your employment rights after a natural disaster?
The first step you should take as an employee is to make sure you are safe. In the event of a natural disaster, the health and safety of people should be a priority above the well-being of businesses and organisations.
If you think it is unsafe to work because of health and safety issues, you have the right to refuse work and let your employer know. Your employer may give you alternative work or ask you to work at a different location - such as working from home for example.
You can check your employment agreement or workplace policy for information about not being able to work due to a natural disaster or emergency. If neither of these documents cover this, you should discuss it with your employer. If you are treated unfairly or cannot reach an agreement with your employer following a natural disaster - you can discuss the matter with your union representative, start a dispute resolution process or contact WorkSafe for help.
For more information, visit: cab.org.nz/article/KB00043210
Original post credit: Citizens Advice Bureau: www.cab.org.nz...
Share your favourite main crop potato recipe and win a copy of our mag!
Love potatoes? We will give away free copies of the May 2026 issue to readers whose potato recipes are used in our magazine. To be in the running, make sure you email your family's favourite way to enjoy potatoes: mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz, by March 1, 2026.
Have you got New Zealand's best shed? Show us and win!
Once again, Resene and NZ Gardener are on the hunt for New Zealand’s best shed! Send in the photos and the stories behind your man caves, she sheds, clever upcycled spaces, potty potting sheds and colourful chicken coops. The Resene Shed of the Year 2026 winner receives $1000 Resene ColorShop voucher, a $908 large Vegepod Starter Pack and a one-year subscription to NZ Gardener. To enter, tell us in writing (no more than 500 words) why your garden shed is New Zealand’s best, and send up to five high-quality photos by email to mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz. Entries close February 23, 2026.
Poll: 🤖 What skills do you think give a CV the ultimate edge in a robot-filled workplace?
The Reserve Bank has shared some pretty blunt advice: there’s no such thing as a “safe” job anymore 🛟😑
Robots are stepping into repetitive roles in factories, plants and warehouses. AI is taking care of the admin tasks that once filled many mid-level office jobs.
We want to know: As the world evolves, what skills do you think give a CV the ultimate edge in a robot-filled workplace?
Want to read more? The Press has you covered!
-
52.5% Human-centred experience and communication
-
14.9% Critical thinking
-
29.9% Resilience and adaptability
-
2.8% Other - I will share below!
Loading…
