Holidays Act Remediation Project

We have been incredibly frustrated by the length of time it is taking to complete the programme and timeframes committed to by Te Whatu Ora have been repeatedly missed. We continue to work on issues with Te Whatu Ora such as how to ensure members who work in multiple roles receive their correct entitlement. 

Former employees

It is important to know that the definition of a former employee for the purpose of this programme may also include people who finished employment in one part of Te Whatu Ora and started working in another, e.g. moving from one ward to another, one District to another, etc. As a result we recommend that all NZNO members register on the former employees portal to ensure that you receive all of the money you may be owed. You can register on the Te Whatu Ora website here: https://remediate.tewhatuora.govt.nz/hnz

Holidays Act Remediation Programme - Background 

Work undertaken by the Labour Inspectorate of the Ministry of Business, Innovation & Employment identified in 2016 that there were issues with DHB payroll systems and their compliance with the Holidays Act.  These meant that some employees weren’t receiving their correct leave entitlements.

The CTU wrote to the DHBs and the NZ Blood Service (NZBS) in May 2016 proposing a process to review DHBs’ compliance with the Holidays Act and to take a national approach to resolving issues of non-compliance.

The then DHBs, now Te Whatu Ora regions, continue to work through the process at varying rates. The National Programme Management Office publishes regular updates on the progress of each region. 

Have you worked for a District Health Board or Te Whatu Ora at anytime since 1 May 2010? 

From Thursday 9 November 2023 you will be able to register to receive any underpayments as a result of non-compliance with the Holidays Act. Te Whatu Ora expect to make these payments in mid to late 2024.

Current employees will receive and, in some cases have already received their payments, however, if you have changed roles or workplaces you may also be entitled to these payments and should register. 

Do you need to register?

If you have worked at one of the Districts or Hospitals for many years, it is highly likely that you have changed jobs or moved departments. These will be considered former roles. You would have received a final payment for your former role when this change occurred.  Examples where you should register include:

  • “I used to be a nurse in A&E, and received a termination pay when I left that position. I then started as a Clinical Nurse Specialist on the Cardiac Unit.”
  • “I resigned and left health and now I’m back working for Te Whatu Ora.”
  • “I worked in a permanent position and when I changed roles, I received a termination payment before taking up a casual role.”
  • “I resigned from a multi job role.”

How to register

  1. Visit: www.remediate.tewhatuora.govt.nz 
  2. You will need: your employee number, an email address, and your Inland Revenue number.
  3. Fill out the registration form and complete any questions. Te Whatu Ora can then check your details.
  4. Check your email for the verification code (check your junk mail!)
  5. Wait to hear from Te Whatu Ora about any payment owed to you.

FAQs

Who does this apply to:

  • Current employees who are ‘former’ employees because they previously worked in a different part of Te Whatu Ora, or because they previously worked in their current location but in a different role and their employee record was ‘terminated’ in the payroll system
  • Former employees who worked for a District Health Board or Te Whatu Ora after 1 May 2010.
  • Those acting for former employees where the former employee is deceased or are incapacitated and unable to act for themselves.

When will former employees receive payment?

  • Payments to former employees will start next year, with most payments being made in 2024.

Why do the payment dates vary?

  • Payment dates vary for each payroll because of the different complexities being worked through by each project team. The projects are also being sequenced so that we manage the work required and the risk associated with changing payroll systems.

Why are Te Whatu Ora getting ready to remediate former employees when so many current employees haven’t yet been paid?

  • Each project team will remediate current employees first, then former employees.

Why aren’t current employees being paid out for all of their previous Te Whatu Ora work at one time?

  • The former District Health Boards and shared services agencies that formed Te Whatu Ora operated separate payroll systems, and project teams are working to rectify each system. Payment dates vary because of the different complexities being worked through by each team.