Know the rules for Easter trade

Businesses and their staff are being reminded by the Labour Inspectorate of their responsibilities when it comes to work over the Easter period.

Simon Humphries, Labour Inspectorate head of compliance and enforcement, says it’s important for employers and their employees to understand the regulations around limited trading days.

“On three and a half days each year almost all shops must close under the Shop Trading Hours Act 1990,” he explains. “These are Christmas Day, Good Friday, until 1pm on Anzac Day, and Easter Sunday.

“What can trip people up is not understanding that on Easter Sunday most shops need to close, despite it not being a public holiday.”

Humphries adds that all shop employees have the right to refuse work on Easter Sunday without giving a reason to their boss. This applies to all workers, including those in shops that are exempt from the restrictions, such as petrol stations.

There has been confusion over the years on exactly which types of shops can open on restricted trading days.

“We have three circumstances where shops can open on restricted trading days in New Zealand,” clarifies Humphries. 

“Shops are allowed to open if you’re classed as an essential shop or business permitted to trade, then some shops may have an area exemption, and finally councils might put local policies in place within their area.

“Those businesses permitted to trade include places such as a dairy, petrol station, pharmacy, restaurant or cafe, hairdressers and barbers. These places have certain conditions they need to meet, but they can be open.

“Generally, what we are seeing is that people know the rules and are doing things right, what we’re keen to see is this extended across the board.”

For more details from the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employoment about the trading rules over the Easter period, click here.