National has backed ACT’s fix. Time to pass it

“ACT welcomes National’s small business policy. The good news is that ACT has a solution ready to be voted on and before Parliament,” says ACT’s Small Business spokesperson Laura McClure.

“National has supported it through select committee. Let’s finish the job and cut the cost of employment disputes once Parliament is back.

“A faster employment disputes process helps. But when an employer and employee are willing to agree on a departure, they should be able to settle it before the legal bills start piling up.

“Small business owners pay those bills out of their own pockets. They still have wages to pay and customers to serve while a personal grievance eats up their time and money.

“Sometimes a job simply doesn’t work out. An employer is willing to offer compensation and an employee is happy to leave. Yet even starting that conversation can expose the employer to a grievance.

“My Member’s Bill would allow protected negotiations so both sides can discuss an agreed departure. The employee remains free to say no.

“Where both sides reach an agreement, National’s proposed fast-track becomes redundant. There is no dispute to send to the Employment Relations Authority.

“ACT is pushing to change the law so small business owners can put their hard-earned money into growing their business instead of fighting over a job that didn’t work out.”