This NZPPA Member-Only Special Free Webinar draws on frontline experience from the Labour Inspectorate, providing practical insights into employment standards compliance, recent investigations and engagement with employers across a range of industries.

Webinar Information

Date: Thursday, 22 October 2026
Time: 11:00 am – 12:00 pm
Cost: Free for NZPPA members

Who Should Attend

Employers, payroll practitioners, payroll managers, HR professionals and employment advisers involved in managing leave entitlements, calculating leave payments or ensuring compliance with employment standards legislation.

Purpose

This session provides practical insights into some of the most common Holidays Act issues the Labour Inspectorate continues to encounter through its operational work and investigations.

Attendees will gain a better understanding of recurring compliance issues, lessons learned from employers’ experiences and the expectations of the Labour Inspectorate when investigating employment standards compliance.

The session will also discuss the “casual” employee, including relevant legal principles and case law considerations.

Key Topics

• Incorrect leave payment calculations, including failing to apply the required comparison between Average Weekly Earnings (AWE) and Ordinary Weekly Pay (OWP) when paying annual holidays.
• Challenges in defining a “week” for annual holidays, particularly for employees with variable work patterns, and the risks of relying on averages without appropriate consultation.
• Situations where changes to employees’ work patterns have not been reflected through consultation, updated employment agreements or correctly adjusted leave entitlements.
• Common misunderstandings relating to Relevant Daily Pay (RDP) and Average Daily Pay (ADP), and the impact these errors can have on employee leave payments.
• The “casual” employee, including relevant legal principles and case law considerations.
• Recurring compliance issues identified through Labour Inspectorate investigations and lessons learned from employers’ experiences.

Important Compliance Reminder

The presentation will reinforce a key message for employers and payroll practitioners: the Holidays Act 2003 remains in force and must continue to be complied with until the Employment Leave Act comes into effect in August 2028.

Practical Outcome

This session is designed to provide employers, payroll professionals and advisers with practical guidance to help identify common risks, strengthen compliance practices and better understand the Labour Inspectorate’s expectations.

Presenter

George Shorrock, Principal Labour Inspector with the Central/Southern Investigations Team, Labour Inspectorate

George has been with the Labour Inspectorate since 2015 and has led investigations across a wide range of industries, including retail, hospitality, cleaning, transport, horticulture, security and construction. His experience spans everything from small businesses through to major corporations, and he has represented the Labour Inspectorate in mediation, the Employment Relations Authority and the Employment Court.

In his current role, George provides guidance and support to Labour Inspectors across the country, helping ensure investigations are conducted consistently and effectively in line with legislation and operational practice. Alongside this leadership role, he remains actively involved in investigations across a range of sectors.