Source: Employment New Zealand
Employees’ rights
Employees don’t have to agree to work on Good Friday, Easter Monday, or Anzac Day unless:
- these are days that the employee would have normally worked
- their employment contract says they have to work on public holidays.
Public holidays and the rights of employees
If an employee would normally work on Thursdays and/or Fridays and/or Mondays, and works on Good Friday 29 March and/or Easter Monday 1 April or Anzac Day Thursday 25 April, they must also be given a paid day off (‘alternative holiday’) for each of the days worked.
However, if the employee does not work on Good Friday and/or Easter Monday and/or Anzac Day, they still have to be paid for the public holidays if they normally work on Fridays, Mondays or Thursdays.
Shop employees have the right to refuse to work on Easter Sunday (not a public holiday). This acknowledges that Easter Sunday is a day of special significance across New Zealand. Shops include retail stores, cafes, bars, and restaurants that sell goods, including food.
