As I have raised previously here I think there needs to be a serious debate about ensuring that New Zealanders get the 11 public holidays a year that they are entitled to under the Holidays Act. The issue is back in the spotlight this week after the EPMU have raised it as part of negotiations. Interestingly the NZ Herald waded into the debate in their editorial yesterday, and came out in favour of Mondayising.
By international standards, New Zealanders work long hours and do not enjoy an inordinate number of holidays. In the interests of fairness and uniformity, they should enjoy the full fruit of what they get.
This is exactly right, and should be the basis from which the discussion about public holidays flows. The biggest issue that has been raised with me since my earlier post is the question of undermining the sanctity of the days. However I think the Herald has this exactly right as well when discussing the RSA’s concerns about any change.
The RSA is right about the increased sanctity of Anzac Day, but that is the precise reason it is wrong to fear that might be lost if the day were Mondayised. People understand the importance of April 25 and February 6 as the exact dates of important historical events. They want to commemorate those events on those days. That will never change. It is, therefore, no reason to deny the statutory holiday that usually falls people’s way on those days.
I think the best of both worlds is possible where the actual days are given the respect that they absolutely deserve, but on occasions when they fall on the weekend the statutory holiday allocation is retained.
The biggest issue for me in this matter is the changing nature of the working week. Mondays are in fact a common regular non-working day for those in hospitality and retail, and therefore they miss out in terms of public holidays, especially when we consider that other holidays such as Labour Day and Queens Birthday always fall on Mondays. This may mean a different kind of amendment to the Holidays Act, either separately or in addition to dealing with the ANZAC/Waitangi issue.
Anyway, I am keen to hear your views, and whether this is something people in your workplace have talked about or are concerned about.
I’m not in favour of it. My two cents
how about Fridayising to signify their difference from the other mondayized holidays?
Thanks Grant, I do support this discussion and the suggestion to strengthen our public holidays provisions, and appreciate the important distinction you’ve made re: retail and hospo workers. You’re right – they will often do a Tues-Sat or Weds-Sun week, and miss out because of a holidays regime geared towards those of us lucky enough to do Monday-Friday.
I agree with guaranteeing 11 public holidays a year under the Holidays Act with clauses to recognise those in the hospitality industry, professional occupations who do shift work (doctors, nurses etc) and those who do your standard Monday – Friday.
Can’t be too hard surely….
@ Rebecca – Agree totally.
As a 365 days a year business – we had a confusing xmas (but workable) if on sat not sun on monday then paid this. Unfortunately although this was released by company with support from union, it took till early April for company to reconciliate all the errors where the company argued against their own document.
A Person working in a Tuesday-Saturday roster, earning $15 Per hour, will get $900 and five paid days off less, than those on a Monday-Friday roster, for this year alone. I feel things must change.
Mondayised or fridayised, there must be a way so let’s get it done. Reform the Holidays Act!
And ANZAC Day, it seems to me, has in the last 15 years been transformed into a surrogate national day, which lends it extra significance.