NZ, we are here for you
And the COVID-19 comms come rolling in again,
what you need to know to prepare
From midday today, Wednesday 12 August 2020, Auckland will be moving into Alert Level 3, and the rest of New Zealand into Alert Level 2. Although this will be reviewed in 3 days, we all need to realistically prepare for this to be extended and become once again the new normal.
We are gutted to be here again, especially for those that have just started to recover from our earlier lockdown and these business owners and their teams are tired, worried and uncertain of what the next few weeks may look like. We will get through this and we encourage you to reach out to us, we are here with you and your team through this.
Majority of you have rolled out your health and safety comms to your team and customers/ suppliers this morning, well done. Keep communicating to your team and customers, contingency planning is again key. Please ensure that you have a plan in place for what it may look like if we are here for a few more weeks or move again throughout the alert levels.
Different Alert Levels
What does Alert Level 3 mean for Auckland? Read our FAQ’s which should help answer all of your Level 3 concerns and questions here.
What does Alert Level 2 mean for the rest of NZ? Read our Alert Level 2 guidelines here.
Wage subsidy extension scheme
The wage subsidy extension scheme continues to be available until midnight 1 September 2020. In light of the movement up alert levels, we recommend our clients reassess their eligibility for the wage subsidy extension scheme.
To be eligible, your business must have experienced a minimum 40% decline in revenue for a continuous 30 day period. The 30 day period must be in the 40 days before you apply compared to the closest period last year. The decline must also be related to COVID-19.
To learn more on whether you are eligible and how to apply, click here.
Payment of staff wages
We appreciate one of your biggest concerns is likely how are you going to pay your staff, particularly if you are unable to operate under Alert Level 3 or are operating at reduced capacity.
Although this is a difficult time for business owners, you are still required to meet your obligations relating to consulting with Employees regarding any changes to their terms and conditions. Be transparent, keep communication open and honest with where you are at, consult, and be fair in your approach.
Most importantly, ring us to discuss some options on 0800 HR FOR U before jumping in.
Apprenticeship support programme
Businesses can apply for this for an employee or contractor who is an eligible Apprentice. An ‘Apprentice” reflects someone who is enrolled in a TEC-approved NZ or Managed Apprenticeship and are in the first or second year of their Apprenticeship.
This support is a wage subsidy payment, paid to the Employer in a lump sum each month, and the Employer will be required to ‘top up’ the subsidy amount and continue to pay the Apprentice the wage they are legally entitled to (refer to their terms and conditions)
An Apprentice who is in the first year of their Apprenticeship will be eligible for $1,000 per month, and an Apprentice in their second year is eligible for $500 per month for a maximum period of 20 months.
The Employer can apply for the Apprenticeship Boost whether the Apprentice has just started their training programme or is nearing the end of their first two years - right up until the Apprentice has completed 24 months of their training programme (while the initiative is running).
Employers are unable to access this programme if the Apprentice is already getting another wage subsidy from MSD
The scheme is effective from 5 August 2020 and up to April 2022, and after Employers initially apply, they will then need to log into their account and reconfirm the details of each Apprentice, each month. Messaging from MSD will be sent to the Employer each month reminding them to do so.
Apply via MyIR account using Company and Apprentice details and the Apprentice must complete the consent form.
Regional Business Partner Funding
People Passion offers services that are registered with the COVID-19 Business Advisory Fund.
Small and medium sized businesses may qualify for funding to help pay for advisory services to support them through the COVID-19 outbreak.
The COVID-19 Business Advisory Funding can provide support in areas such as HR, health and wellbeing, business continuity, cashflow and finance management, marketing and digital enablement strategy.
People Passion are registered to provide Human Resources and Employment Relations advisory services, up to the value of $5k.
Funding is only available through the Regional Business Partner Network (RBP) Growth Advisors. For more information or to find your local Growth Advisor go to www.regionalbusinesspartners.co.nz.
Free resources
There are plenty of free resources out there to support you with your planning. Check out our free resources here.
The Government also has various free resources, including the contact tracing app available on their website here.