CAB Column: Some of those Christmas questions answered

Citizens Advice Bureau Napier volunteers like Christine, are ready to help answer any questions you have, or find someone who can.

COLUMN

CAB Napier (Citizens’ Advice Bureau) volunteer Karl, answers common questions and shares advice to help the community over this year’s holiday period.

Christmas can be a fraught time of year and a source of stress, so here are some tips to deal with a few common Christmas issues.

What organisations provide free Christmas meals to people in need?

Whether you are too financially stretched to afford a special meal for Christmas or want to help people who are, there are organisations that can help, including churches, community groups and businesses.

• Free Christmas lunches or dinners are usually organised locally. For more information, contact your local CAB, or check with your city council.

This year, Age Concern has had a Christmas lunch for those over 60 who are alone or who find this time of year challenging. It is held in Havelock North.

Numbers are limited, and delivery may be available. Places are booked very quickly. Call Age Concern HB 06 870 9060 to check.

• Napier also has a free community lunch, held at the Napier Old Boys Marist Clubrooms, 9 Clyde Jeffery Drive, Park Island, at 12pm on Christmas Day.

Contact Jill on 021 183 5069 or 06 843 7280 Monday to Friday between 8:30am and 4pm. The final date for registration is Monday, December 18.

The lunch is open for all who will be alone or find Christmas challenging, whatever the reason. Up to 150 guests can be catered for, and transport can be provided for those needing assistance to get to the venue.

Do I still have to pay for a full month for my gym when they close for three days over Christmas?

Most gyms close for a few days around the Christmas period. This will probably have been written into the contract you signed with them, so yes, you will have to pay for the full month.

It is worth checking their policy with your gym.

Can my employer force me to take annual leave between Christmas and New Year or during that period?

If your office typically shuts down over Christmas and New Year, your employer can make you take annual leave over that time. This only applies if they have only one close-down period each year.

You must take this time off even if you do not have enough annual leave entitlement to cover the close-down period.

I must give four weeks’ notice to leave, but the office closes down for two weeks over Christmas. Can the four-week notice period include the close-down period?

Unless your employment agreement specifies that the notice must be in business days, the notice period to end your employment can include days that the business is closed.

However, you must ensure your employer receives your notice. If you send it to the office when it is already closed, your employer might be justified in claiming that you did not give adequate notice.

The CAB website has over 2000 answers to your questions at cab.org.nz and anyone seeking advice can contact the Napier Citizens Advice Bureau in Bower House, Bower Street, Napier, Monday to Friday, 9am to 4pm on 06 835 9664 or 0800 367 222 or send an email to napier@cab.org.nz.

CAB Napier Christmas Hours: Closing noon on Friday, December 20, reopening Monday, January 6 2025 at 9am.

Call us for information about the JP and Saturday Lawyer Clinic. At CAB Napier — confidentiality is assured.