COVID 19 WAGE SUBSIDY AND EASTER

[csillac]

Hi

I have set up a pay code as instructed for covid-19 subsidy.W e are only paying the subsidy no top up as we have no income. Am I correct in assuming that the easter public holidays get 'ignored" now and all hours go to covid-19 pay code? 

[Mcork]

I have the same question.

[Tracey_H]

Hi @csillac and @Mcork 

Thanks for your post and I am sorry to hear your businesses have been impacted by COVID-19. We do recommend speaking with your advisor or employment NZ in regards to how the Easter public holidays should be coded. Using the COVID-19 pay code will keep it clear for your employees and audit purposes, however, it is best to check your reporting obligations to make sure it is recorded correctly.

Sorry I couldn't be of more assistance. Please don't hesitate to post again if you have further questions.

If my response has answered your enquiry please click "Accept as Solution" to assist other users find this information.

[AngeP]

Hi, I had the same question this morning and this was the official response from Employment NZ:

----------------------------------------------------------------------

Regular employment law applies to all employment relationships – regardless of the circumstances that we find ourselves in. This includes anything that has been agreed to in an employment agreement.   

If Fridays and Mondays are otherwise working days based on pre-COVID-19 working patterns, employees should be paid for the upcoming public holidays. The payment should be Relevant Daily Pay , or if it meets the criteria, can be Average Daily Pay.

Determining whether a day is an 'otherwise working day ' should be based on the employee's pre-lockdown working pattern. However, if the employer and employee have agreed to a permanent change, this new arrangement can be used to assess whether the day is an 'otherwise working day'   

[jenniek]

Hi @AngeP ,

Yes - but you can use the subsidy to pay for the public holiday - it would be preferable to show this via the wage subsidy than using the public holiday code - it just means you need to manually calculate where to put the overall calculation.

[RLM]

Hi Jennie 

Thank you for your help on this matter.

So am I right in thinking for example.

Pay 8 hours per Public Holiday & use this code eg: 8 hours x $20.00 = $160.00

Then deduct this from the COVID19 wage subisdy of $585.80?

And then manually enter inthe COVID19 wage subsidy $425.80 

And then use the top up (if the company is) of 80%

Appreciate your help  

Thanks

Judy

[jenniek]

Hi @RLM 

I would still claim the full 585.80 - then reduce the topup amount by the amount of the public holiday. That way you can report the full subsidy amount - and still show the public holiday being paid.