MEN WHO ENLIST

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 83, Issue 243, 14 October 1939, Page 8

MEN WHO ENLIST

REINSTATEMENT IN EMPLOYMENT IMPORTANT REGULATIONS [ Ter Press Association.) WELLINGTON, Oct. 13. An extraordinary Gazette containing regulations having far-reaching consequences for employees who en> list in the Dominion's defence forces, either for overseas service or home defence during the present hostilities, and also their employers, has been published to-day. The most important section of the regulations, which are termed the "Occupational Reestablishment Emergency Regulations, 1939,” is that stating, “It shall be the duty of any employer by whom or by predecessor of whom in relation of the employer, a person is accepted for service in His Majesty’s forces whether in New Zealand or overseas was employed when he was so accepted for service, to re-instate him in his employment at the termination or service or during any period of leave from that service without pay, in an ocupation 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 providing for increments in remuneration, such benefits to attach so as to entitle him to remuneration at f fc ’ie time of reinstatement at the rate which he would* then have received had his employment been continuous up to that time.” The regulations state that employers who fail to comply with the provisions of the above-mentioned clause commit an offence and may be ordered to pay the person whom they have failed to reinstate a sum not exceeding the 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-rein-statement of employees. These include failure by the employee to apply for reinstatement within six months of the termination of overseas service, or during any period of leave without pay, and also if the employee havffig been offered reinstatement fails witn out reasonable excuse, to present hin\self for employment at tne time and place specified or by reason of a change of circumstances (other than engagement of some other person to replace him). Employers will not be allowed to end employment of employees for the purpose of evading the obligations imposed under these regulations, or in the expectancy that the employee might be accepted for service in His Majesty’s forces. The regulations also make provision for employees where the contract of service is concerned and arc subject to suspension of the Apprenticeship Emergency Regulations.