[Paul and Linda]

Anyone else got a run of the mill monday to friday full time job in NZ?

My contract has just been sent to me and the working hours are 8 till 5 monday to friday. Doesn't mentio what the lunch break is, but even if it is an hour, then this is still 5 hours more than I currently work (as the minimum required).

Seems a bit contrary to a salary that is lower than my current one, pound for dollar.

Is this the norm?

Paul

[mechidna]

I'm not sure what the answer is, but my full time is for 37.5 hours per week, between 8:30 and 5. Since I make my own schedule, it is a lot more flexible than most. Lunch is usually about half an hour and I know people have a morning and afternoon tea break.

It would be worth asking your employer. I think most (I could be wrong) jobs over here are 37.5 hours for full time.

[GeorgeM]

Our standard hours are 40 per week - apparently went up from 37.5 years ago!

We work 8:30 to 17:00 with half hour for lunch, but people are very particular to take their morning and afternoon tea breaks - no quick cup of coffee at the desk - so more like 7.5 hour day in reality...

[cornerofsilence]

Well you are very lucky my husband work 7.30 to 5pm half and hour of lunch.
Tea breaks do not exist once in a wile 10mins on the run.

His wages here are the same as they were 25 years ago but we love it here.

Susan

[Paul and Linda]

Cheers everyone, I have another interview in 40 minutes time, for Shell Oil.

Will let you know how it goes.

Cheers
Paul

[Moorf]

Hours seem pretty much the same as UK, with the exception of "smoko" breaks - Woz works 9 - 5 and gets 2 x 20 min smoko breaks and an hour for lunch.

[Cardiff Irons]

Good luck :cheers Ooops, I mean :nice1

[StevieD]

The working day is going to be a matter of pot luck, depending on employer. I used to work for a huge international company, and one day, on a whim of some faceless exec somewhere, they decided to "extend" our working day by 1/2 hour in morning to 8am and extend the end of the day. Although our lunch break should have been 1 hour, it was sometimes a lot less due to work load, and sometimes a lot more! So it is a case of swings and roundabouts I suppose.

[Paul and Linda]

Cheers,
Shell job, could be good, but they didn't play it up massively, actually wanted me to do some work instead of telling others what to do! Don't know about that!

They probably won't get round to making a decision before I accept the PN job. So palmy here we come.

Lookout Manawatu!

Paul

[wilson182]

My work hours were originally advertised as 8.00 - 5.00, but I explained with school age children I couldnt work those hours so they were happy to let me do 9-5. They are also very flexible if I need an hour here or there for things.

Hubby works 7-4ish, quite long hours, but still much better than the UK when he was travelling to London for 3-4hours each day.

[Miffy]

My work hours are 8.30 to 5 with an hour lunch break. It is complusory to take at least ½ hour of it.
We also get x2 15 mins tea breaks which I should take but raley do.
I get into work at around 8 because if I leave it any longer all the free park spaces have gone. If I'm still at my desk after 5.05 I'm pretty much told to go home by the boss

In the UK my hours were 9-5 but I was at my desk by 8.30 and left at around 5.30 - 6ish. I omuted on the train and the hours worked around the train timetable.

I have less holiday here to :(
Iwas used to 26 day standard with an option of a further 15 days (you bought extra days back from the company so they really worked out to be un paid).
Only get 20 days and I have to take 4 over the xmas due to shut down.

[Avalon]

Alan works 40hours a week. Up from a UK contracted 37.5 hours a week - but down from his actual UK hours of 50-70 hours a week!

Its up to him when he works, but generally 9-6 with a good hour for lunch, and often at least 1 decent coffee break daily (by which I mean he goes out for coffee).

His new job is going to be the same - 40 hours. He has already asked if he can fit this into 4 days, which seems to be generally OK. So hes going to work on the train which effectively makes a "5th day". Hes also going to be looking at working from home sometimes.

[annaerb]

Hi I am a Kiwi and thought these sites will be of use to you. If you are not sure of anything get your new employer to clarify it and if your contract is changed at anytime get the Employer to draft up a new contract.

The normal working week for full time is 40 hrs. Contracts vary with every company and it is complusory to have one.


2005 Public Holidays
http://www.ers.dol.govt.nz/holidays_act_2003/dates/2003_5.html
2006 Public Holidays
http://www.ers.dol.govt.nz/holidays_act_2003/dates/2006_9.html

These links will tell you the public holidays. For example for next year if you want some extra time off at Xmas take the days in between Xmas & New Year it gives you 2 weeks holidays.

Annual Holidays is 3 weeks after the first year but is going to change to 4.
http://www.ers.dol.govt.nz/holidays_act_2003/annual.html

Taking annual leave before entiltlement:

http://www.ers.dol.govt.nz/holidays_act_2003/holidays_advance.html

Regular annual closedowns:

http://www.ers.dol.govt.nz/holidays_act_2003/closedown.html

Sick Leave:

http://www.ers.dol.govt.nz/holidays_act_2003/sick_leave.html

Employment Agreements:

http://www.ers.dol.govt.nz/relationships/

Employment Agreement Guide:

http://www.ers.dol.govt.nz/relationships/builder/guide.asp

[gil]

Really useful post annaerb, as I am just embarking on job interviews with a view to employment after contracting/self-employment etc. Thanks,
Gil