Tuesday, 12 December 2023
NapierHastings
NZ HeraldThe Northern AdvocateThe Northland AgeThe AucklanderWaikato HeraldBay Of Plenty TimesRotorua Daily PostHawke's Bay TodayWhanganui ChronicleThe Stratford PressManawatu GuardianKapiti NewsHorowhenua ChronicleTe Awamutu CourierVivaEat WellOneRoofDRIVEN Car GuideThe CountryPhoto SalesiHeart RadioRestaurant Hub
Voyager 2023 media awards
Subscribe
Advertisement
Advertise with NZME.
Home / Hawkes Bay Today

More than 1000 Heinz-Wattie's staff in Hawke's Bay paid out over holiday pay mistake

Gianina Schwanecke
By
Gianina Schwanecke
21 May, 2021 04:57 AM2 mins to read
Saveshare

Share this article

facebookcopy linktwitterlinkedinredditemail
All current Heinz-Wattie's impacted by the previous Holidays Act 2003 interpretation have received their remediation payments including about 1000 current workers in Hawke's Bay. Photo / NZME

All current Heinz-Wattie's impacted by the previous Holidays Act 2003 interpretation have received their remediation payments including about 1000 current workers in Hawke's Bay. Photo / NZME

Worked at Heinz Wattie's for any length of time in the past 10 years? You're in line for a payout.

A massive endeavour to address incorrect holiday leave pay is now in motion.

The company was one of many private and public sector employers, including the Ministry for Business Innovation and Enterprise, caught out in 2016 for an incorrect interpretation of certain provisions in the Holidays Act 2003.

The issue related to there being two ways to calculate holiday pay - either on the basis of ordinary weekly pay or an employee's average weekly earnings over the past 12 months.

Advertisement
Advertise with NZME.

But employers who calculate holiday pay based on an employee's contracted hours can get caught out if that person does variable hours or earns a commission or other variable pay.

Employers must pay whatever gives the employee the most money.

A spokesperson for Heinz Wattie's said it had recently finalised a review of its historic approach to payments under the Holidays Act, in line with what many other companies in New Zealand had done.

Anomalies in leave calculations were identified as part of this process, impacting a broad range of employees who worked across all New Zealand sites between June 30, 2011 and October 31, 2020, he said.

Advertisement
Advertise with NZME.

"We have been totally transparent with employees and have been working methodically at all sites with the support of the unions.

"All current employees who were impacted have received their remediation payments."

This included many of the longer-term employees in Hawke's Bay, with about 1000 receiving remediation payments.

Heinz-Wattie's is now beginning the process of contacting former employees.

"We have in place a system for ensuring that former employees for the period in question receive their payments. This will include advertising through multiple avenues."

The spokesperson said the total amount was confidential.

"We are following a process and meeting our good faith obligation as an employer to current and past employees.

"The process for ensuring that remediation payments are correctly calculated for past and present employees has been complex due to payroll systems which have changed over time."

To verify eligibility, past employees are asked to submit details online at watties.co.nz/holidaysact

Saveshare

Share this article

facebookcopy linktwitterlinkedinredditemail
Advertisement
Advertise with NZME.

Latest from Hawkes Bay Today

Hawkes Bay Today

Christmas concerts: Choir and orchestra combine to bring a weekend full of music

11 Dec 09:28 PM
Hawkes Bay Today

Athletics: Hawke’s Bay winners at schools athletics

11 Dec 08:50 PM
Hawkes Bay Today

Hastings on-demand bus service trial popular but costly

11 Dec 08:02 PM
Hawkes Bay Today

Fire and French toast - a recipe for learning confidence at Kumeroa School

11 Dec 08:00 PM

“Never been a better time to buy an EV”

sponsored
Advertisement
Advertise with NZME.

Latest from Hawkes Bay Today

Christmas concerts: Choir and orchestra combine to bring a weekend full of music

Christmas concerts: Choir and orchestra combine to bring a weekend full of music

11 Dec 09:28 PM

Local audiences will have two opportunities to enjoy Handel's Messiah.

Athletics: Hawke’s Bay winners at schools athletics

Athletics: Hawke’s Bay winners at schools athletics

11 Dec 08:50 PM
Hastings on-demand bus service trial popular but costly

Hastings on-demand bus service trial popular but costly

11 Dec 08:02 PM
Fire and French toast - a recipe for learning confidence at Kumeroa School

Fire and French toast - a recipe for learning confidence at Kumeroa School

11 Dec 08:00 PM
9 big questions over an EV road trip
sponsored

9 big questions over an EV road trip

About NZMEHelp & SupportContact UsSubscribe to Hawke's Bay TodayHouse Rules
Manage Your Print SubscriptionHawke's Bay Today E-EditionAdvertise with NZMEBook Your AdPrivacy Policy
Terms of UseCompetition Terms & ConditionsSubscriptions Terms & Conditions
© Copyright 2023 NZME Publishing Limited
TOP