Southland employers, workers, to decide on anniversary day

Southlanders have been given the option of deciding when they observe Southland Anniversary Day.

The Department of Labour says there’s never been one official day universally observed in the province. Invercargill service manager John Pannett says local business have traditionally observed the holiday on different days; January 17, or March 23, or March 25 or Easter Tuesday have been the most popular choices.

“From now on, employers should discuss when the holiday should be observed with their staff and reach agreement.

‘They should follow any provision in their employment agreements or follow their own custom and practice, unless they agree otherwise. For example, if a workplace has always observed anniversary day on Easter Tuesday, and does so again, we will not challenge this.”

If people do not have a clear custom and practice then they should try to reach agreement on when they observe the holiday.

John says anyone who would like help working this through in their workplace can seek help from a labour inspector, or contact the department’s employment relation’s freephone 0800 20 90 20.