On the twelfth day of Christmas, the Government gave to me…A 90 day “fire at will” law that will affect all of us when we move to a new job and will make the already critical staffing shortage in education worse! |
What is the 90 Day Bill?
The 90 day “fire at will” law means any new employee in a workplace of less than 20 people can be fired within their first 90 days of employment without rights to appeal. You will not even have the right to have the reason for your dismissal given in writing.
After sending conflicting messages during the election campaign, National’s legislation contains NO EXEMPTIONS for the education sector. This means the law will be applied to thousands of ECE centres and schools with less than 20 employees.
The 90 day law was not part of the National Government’s 100 day plan. Passed under urgency on Thursday December 11 2008, without democratic input from the education sector or the community at large, NZEI is concerned that the law will mean your ability to confidently apply for a new position to for professional and career development is jeopardised. Less mobility will make it harder to staff rural and difficult to staff schools and centres.
This law is unjust and will penalise hundreds of thousands of New Zealanders starting new jobs over their lifetime. It is a worrying signal from a government that talked about collaboration and inclusiveness before the election.
Please let John Key know that all you want for Christmas is fairness at work and the right to have your voice heard through proper Parliamentary process.
What can you do?
Send an email to Prime Minister John Key using our guide text or draft your own.
