Stress

We are creatures of certainty. We like to know what is happening and when, but living in lockdown means that we are living in a cloud of uncertainty. Having to work from home or not being able to work at all adds yet another layer of stress for all of us. 

Actions that may seem simple, like keeping in contact with your team, become very important. Check in with your team on a regular basis, ask them how they are going and listen to what they have to say.

There are a number of Employee Assistance Programmes that are available, including the Xero Assistance Programme (XAP) which is free to anyone who uses Xero and is full of useful resources. The Government also provides some excellent resources and material on health and wellbeing. 

Don’t forget about yourself, take advantage of the stillness of lockdown and have a walk in the sun and “checkout” for a while.

Maintaining Your Team and Retention

When thinking about maintaining your team there are three broad economic factors to consider:

1. Prior to lockdown the country was basically at full employment with significant skill shortages. 
2. The predictions of “10%” unemployment from the first lockdown never eventuated.
3. The experience of the first lockdown was, that demand surged once lockdown was lifted.

All of these factors point to the need to ensure you retain your skilled employees during lockdown (the business need). That business need, however, has to be to be balanced against your short and long term cashflow. Getting that balance right between these two competing factors is difficult.

The HR team at Polson Higgs can help with understanding the impacts of the business need (to maintain your team) and your manager or Partner can help with the cashflow questions.

Wage Subsidy

A key part of the decision around maintaining your team is the Wage Subsidy. For details on what support is available check our newsletter or watch the video below to hear Jamie Reidie, one of our Business Advisory Partners, discuss eligibility and how to apply.

If you have any questions about the wage subsidy you can email covid19@ph.co.nz or contact your Partner or Manager. 

80%?

One of the requirements of the wage subsidy is that you endeavour to pay your team a minimum of 80% of their wages or salary. During the first lock down in 2020 we saw many businesses pay 80% of salaries and some pay as little as the wage subsidy. During our current lockdown, we are seeing this less which probably reflects: 

• The expectation of a shorter lockdown
• Some hard-hit industries in 2020, such as tourism and hospitality, made the decision to reduce staff last year and have not re-employed
• Less uncertainty than last year – the world didn’t end and for many businesses trading after lockdown was strong
• We went into this lockdown with only 4% unemployment with many firms struggling to fill vacancies. Therefore, retaining staff for post lock down trading is much more front of mind.

If you make the decision to pay 80% that does not mean that you can simply reduce or change your teams’ wages or salary without consultation first. The basic rules are:

1. You need to discuss it with your employee and get their agreement
2. The length of time of the change must be stated in writing and added to the employment agreement
3. The employee must have a fair opportunity to consider and respond to the changes
4. The change can’t reduce their wage beneath the minimum wage.

For more detail visit Employment New Zealand or contact the Polson Higgs HR Team.

A Bit of A Laugh

It is easy to be distracted working from home, but we all deserve a laugh, so here is our pick Bill Bailey talking about happiness...

If you have any videos or memes you would like to to share with us, please email covid19@ph.co.nz

Daffodil Day

Daffodil Day looks a little bit different this year, so we have decided to share with you a few of the daffodils grown, drawn and made in our respective bubbles.

Cancer doesn't stop, and with your help, the Cancer Society can continue their valuable work, please donate generously at www.daffodilday.org.nz.

Webpage - Check out Polson Higgs Covid-19 for our COVID-19 resources for you to use.

If you have a question about anything, please don’t hesitate to ask on info@ph.co.nz.

Stay safe and keep in touch.

Kind regards

Polson Higgs Team

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