It took 30 years for New Zealand to progress from 3 to 4 weeks minimum annual leave, but now the Government wants to put your 4th week up for sale – that is, allow you to ‘sell’ it back to your employer for cash.

National and ACT voted against the introduction of the 4th week’s holiday when they were in opposition. Making it for sale could be just the first step in taking away your right to 4 weeks altogether.

Hang on to your holidays

The Government is reviewing the law that provides workers with a minimum of 4 weeks annual leave a year and is proposing putting the 4th week up for sale for cash.

There are many ways in which an employer can put you under pressure to sell your holidays (even though the Government says they won’t be allowed to).

1. Kiwis currently take less time off than most other workers around the world – a third of surveyed workers say they’d like to take more time off but can’t because of work demands.
   (see Expedia Survey - 15 April 2009)
2. Workers are already under pressure not to take the holidays they are due, so what do you think will really happen if your 4th week is for sale?
3. The Government knows that when times are tough many workers will be forced to sell their fourth week of leave, and then they will be able to claim that nobody wanted the time off after all.
4. Don’t be fooled into thinking this is just a bit of generous ‘flexibility’ by the Government.
5. This could be the first step in taking away your right to decent holiday time and pay. Contact your union and join the fight to defend your holiday rights.

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