Coronavirus: FAQs And Resource Hub For Employers
Latest COVID and Alert Level Updates
The Government has confirmed the following on 22 November 2021:
- New Zealand will move to the COVID-19 Protection Framework (also known as the traffic light system) at 11:59pm on Thursday, 2 December 2021.
- Auckland will move to red level on this date;
- Levels for other regions will be confirmed on 29 November 2021 and this decision will be based on vaccination rates.
- In the meantime:
- Auckland remains at Step 2 of Alert Level 3, however from 25 November 2021 hairdressers and barbers in Auckland will be able to open use vaccine passes, requiring proof of vaccination from customers;
- The rest of New Zealand remains at Alert Level 2 until 3 December 2021.
What Do the Alert Levels Mean?
New Zealand has a four-level alert system to manage and minimise the risk of COVID-19 (the “Coronavirus”). Each alert level provides public health, social measures and guidance for businesses.
Please be aware that the information below is general advice based on the public information available at the time of publication. Alert levels and restrictions can change quickly, so always review the details of the latest government advice. The Government has provided detailed information on alert levels and what they mean for people and businesses here.
COVID-19 Vaccination Kit for Employers
| Factsheet on Vaccinations. With an increasing focus on infection control in the workplace, it is important that employers are aware of their responsibilities in relation to vaccinations. | Download |
| Factsheet on Face Coverings. This factsheets explains the how an employer’s obligations interact with health orders requiring the wearing of masks. | Download |
| Infection Control Policy. A free and comprehensive policy suitable for most businesses. | Download |
| COVID Safety Assessment Tool. This tool can help you understand and track health and safety risks in your workplace. | Download |
| COVID Safety Plan. This general template, suitable for most businesses, will help you identify, assess and control the risks in your workplace. | Download |
| COVID Safety Plan Checklist. Keep track of the most important actions you should take. | Download |
Other COVID-19 Resources
These resources have been developed to assist you with the current Alert Level, as well as in the case of any future changes. Please note that not all restrictions outlined in the documents will apply, depending on the current Alert Level:
| COVID Safety Plan Kit. This kit contains resources to help make sure you’ve prepared your workplace for staff and visitors. | Download |
| Workplace Ready Resource Kit. The resources in this kit can help you communicate social distancing and proper hygiene measures. | Download |
| Employees Working From Home Kit. This kit includes an agreement form, a policy and two checklists, one for you and one for your employees | Download |
| Survive and Thrive Redundancy Guide. This guide can help you better manage redundancies | Download |
| COVID-19 Leave Support Scheme. Better understand how to apply for and implement the Leave Support Scheme with this guide. | Download |
Exclusive Webinars – Navigating The Coronavirus Pandemic
In our free webinars, specialists from Employsure offer you a clear path in order to navigate the days, weeks and months ahead during the Coronavirus Pandemic.
A must watch event for any employer, our webinar topics continually change with the latest information. Keep tuning in.
To find a register, visit here.
Official Government Sources
Make sure you’re getting only correct, official health and travel from government sources. Resources are listed below:
- Government Alert Levels
- Ministry of Health
- Travel Restrictions
- Financial Support
- Business Support
- WorkSafe
Maximise Your Mutual
If you are a client of Employsure, you are most likely a member of Employsure Mutual. Here are some tips to make the most of your Protection during the Coronavirus crisis.
Tips to Protect your Business when Managing Covid-19 Workplace Re-Organisation*
- Contact Employsure for advice on any issues relating to your employees or work health and safety concerns
- If you need to re-organise your workplace and, in particular, if this is likely to result in reductions to pay or changes to employment contracts, contact Employsure to obtain advice and guidance on how to address these issues (what to do and day and what not to do and say) and follow the advice as to recommended processes and documentation
- Provide Employsure with accurate and detailed information
- Before making a decision to dismiss an employee or change their employment conditions, contact Employsure for advice
Remember: It is a condition of Employsure Protect that Employsure’s advice is sought and followed in relation to matters that have the potential to result in a claim. Claims arising where advice has not been sought and followed are excluded under Clauses 4 and 6 of Section 2 of the Employsure Protect Product Disclosure Statement.
*You are required to seek and follow advice from Employsure when you become aware of circumstances which may give rise to an Employment Claim or Health and Safety Claim in order to have the benefit of Protection through Employsure Protect (please refer to the Product Disclosure Statement for full terms and conditions).
About Employsure.
Employsure is New Zealand’s largest workplace relations specialists. We take the complexity out of workplace laws to help small business employers protect their business and their people.
