DUTY LAID ON EMPLOYERS

Southland Times, Issue 23948, 14 October 1939, Page 4

DUTY LAID ON EMPLOYERS

Re-engaging Men

Who Enlist

PROVISIONS IN NEW REGULATIONS SALARY INCREASES WHERE APPLICABLE (United Press Association) WELLINGTON, October 13. An Extraordinary Gazette containing regulations having far-reaching consequences for employees who enlist in the Dominion’s defence forces, either for overseas service or home defence during the present hostilities, and also for their employers, has been published today. The most important section of the regulations, which are termed “Occupational Re-establishment Emergency Regulations, 1939,” is that stating:— “It shall be the duty of any employer by whom, or by the predecessor of whom, in the relation of employer, a person accepted for service in his Majesty’s Forces, whether in New Zealand or overseas, was employed when he was so accepted for service, to reinstate him in his employment at the termination of service, or during any period of leave from that service without pay, in an occupation and under conditions not less favourable to him than those which would have been applicable to him had he not been so accepted, including the benefit of conditions for increments in remuneration, such benefits to attach so as to entitle him to remuneration at the time of reinstatement at the rat- which he would then have received had his employment been continuous up to that time. EMPLOYER’S RESPONSIBILITY The regulations state that an employer who fails to comply with the provisions of this clause commits an offence and may be ordered to pay the person vhem he has failed to reinstate a sum not exceeding an amount equal to 12 weeks’ remuneration or remuneration for the period of leave. The regulations also set out provisions which may be used by employers in justifying their non-reinstatement of employees. These include failure by an employee to apply for reinstatement within six months of termination ol overseas service or during any period c' leave without pay, and also if the emp'oyee, having been offered reinstatement, fails, without reasonable excuse, to present himself for employment at the time and place specified, or by reason of change of circumstances—other than engagement of some other person to replace him. Employers will not be allowed to terminate ‘he employment of employees for the purpose of evading the obligations imposed under these regulations, or in expectancy that the employee might be accepted for service in his Majesty’s forces. . The regulations also make provision for employees where a contract of service is concerned, and are subject tc the suspension of the Apprenticeship Emergency Regulations. 1939