Holidays, minimum wage up from today

Major initiatives over pay and working conditions come into force from today.

There is the introduction of a minimum of four weeks annual holiday for workers, and an almost 10 per cent rise in the minimum wage.

The adult minimum wage is now $11.25 an hour, up 9.8 per cent.

New Zealand Superannuation is also increasing.

Employment lawyer Andrew Scott-Howman does not believe many companies will struggle with the legislation.

He says people have known about the changes for four years, as the decisions were taken back in 2003.

Andrew Scott-Howman believes all businesses will have plans in place to cope.

He says companies will have to keep a close eye on workers taking time off.

He says financially it may hit companies at the end of their workers' contracts if they decide to leave without taking all their holidays.

Mr Scott-Howman says legally the company will have to pay that time owed to the employee.

- NEWSTALK ZB