While the ‘90-Day Trial’ period, which enables employers to dispense with the services of a new worker within the first three months, without having to offer any reason, the management of Massey University has decided to stay out of it.
Tertiary Education Union (TEU) Deputy Secretary Nanette Cormack said that in terms of an agreement that it has signed with Massey University, the latter will not adopt the ‘fire-at-will’ permission that is enshrined in the proposed legislation.
“Massey University has committed that even if the Government introduces its proposed new Employment Law, which denies workers their basic personal grievance rights in the first 90 days of work, those laws will not apply to its staff,” she said.
“Good employers should not have any need for the proposed statute,” she added.
Ms Cormack said benevolent employers would invest time, money and effort in advertising, interviews, training and management and as such would aim to keep their staff for a long time, not a few months, she said.
She described the proposed Employment Law as “pernicious,” and that it had no place in a modern workplace like Massey University.
“Good employers already have the tools they need to give workers a chance, trial them and even dismiss them, without taking away basis employment rights. Workers do not want this new law and good employers do not need them,” Ms Cormack said.
“During negotiations, Union members were keen that their existing, fair work rights were not breached. Union members and employers work productively together to increase productivity and keep the workplace friendly and enjoyable.”
