News | MAS

3 August 2021

Documenting changes to employment arrangements

We sometimes get queries about how to document agreed changes, or more difficult situations when: • a pattern of work has changed over the years that has not been formalised, or • there was an agreed change for a trial that has continued, and the employee now considers these their regular hours of work.

6 July 2021

Sick leave increases & managing mental health in the workplace

Increase to Sick leave entitlements From 24 July the sick leave entitlement increases to 10 days per year. The extra 5 days is applied after the completion of 6 months continuous employment, or on the next sick leave entitlement anniversary (12 months after the previous entitlement). This means that anyone employed after 24 January 2021 will be entitled to 10 days sick leave.

1 June 2021

Changes in the HealthyPractice team, sick leave changes & cyber security

We’re really pleased to welcome Bryce Pullan to the team as a Business Adviser, he will be working with us on Monday and Tuesday. Like all of the team Bryce has been with MAS for some time and is looking forward to supporting Members and their practices. Bryce joining us, has allowed Chris to achieve her dream of a four-day working week, Tuesday to Friday and Chris is very much enjoying her three-day weekends. Emailing us your queries to business@mas.co.nz generally means we can respond the same day especially if you send before midday. If your query is urgent just let us know in your email subject line or call 0800 800 627 and ask for the HealthyPractice team.

4 May 2021

MAS celebrates 100 years

The celebration is starting with a staff conference to be held this Thursday and Friday (6-7 May) and the HealthyPractice team will have limited availability to respond to your queries during this time. Email would be the best way to be in touch on these days and our response time might be delayed. We appreciate your understanding.

6 April 2021

Giving feedback & cheque payments

Giving feedback can sometimes be an awkward thing to do, particularly if it’s not something that happens regularly. If you’re not sure how to start this sort of conversation, it’s a good idea to begin with the positive stuff. Most employees like to know that they are doing a good job, and the more often you acknowledge this, the easier it will be to point out things that can be improved.

2 March 2021

Covid-19 vaccination and employment

The past few months have been an uncertain times for New Zealanders, as community cases of COVID-19 have been detected in Auckland, and short lockdowns have been reintroduced. Fortunately, there is light at the end of the tunnel as the Covid vaccination programme has begun. Many employers are beginning to think about what the vaccinations might mean from an employment perspective.