EMPLOYERS’ DUTY

Waikato Times, Volume 132, Issue 22093, 17 July 1943, Page 4

EMPLOYERS’ DUTY

REINSTATEMENT OBLIGATIONS The responsibility of employers to reinstate employees arter service in the armed forces is discussed in the annual report of the Department of Labour for the year ended March 3i. “It is not a question of reinstatement in the identical position held at the time or mobilisation, but or reinstatement in an occupation* and under conditions not less favourable to ibe worker than those which would have been applicable to him had liis employment been continuous,” slates the report.

“ir by reason of injury the worker is not able to perform the work on which he was engaged at tile time of mobilisation, the employer is still under necessity to give suitable employment, and his responsibility is discharged only if he can bring himself within the provisions of regulation 7 by showing that by reason of changed circumstances it is not reasonably practicable to reinstate the worker and that the employer has offered to reinstate him in tHe most favourable .occupation and under the most favourable conditions reasonably practicable.

There \xas a considerable reduction on the previous year in the number of alleged infringements for attention. This no doubt, was due to the changed military policy in respect of territorial service following the Pacific crisis. Presumably tne turther amendment of policy will bn reflected ill the 1943-44 record of alleged infringements. Only 3 2 cases of alleged reiusal to reinstate discharged men were dealt with in 1942-43, a prosecution being commenced in one instance. The responsibility to reinstate exists in every case wnere a serving employee was employed for at least foui> weeks immediately before bis offering himseir for military service otto his being called up for military service.”