COVID 19 - LEAVE SUPPORT SCHEME (LSS)
Intention: To help pay workers who can’t work from home who have Covid 19 or have been told by Ministry or Health Professionals to self-isolate for 14 days. This includes caregivers
Eligibility: The majority of New Zealand employers and self-employed people are eligible to apply. Provided that they have eligible employees.
Eligible Employees: Are employees or self-employed persons who either:
Paying Staff: The employer must pay their employees any amount required by the employment agreement and employment legislation. The LSS requirements do not remove or reduce this obligation. The employer must try to pay the employee their normal wages, or at least 80% of their usual pay. If that isn't possible, the employer must pay at least the LSS payment rate (ie, full-time or part-time). If employer can't pay its employees their usual wages, then any reduction requires good faith consultation and written agreement in line with existing employment law. If the employee's usual wages are less than the Leave Support Scheme, the employer must pay them their usual wages. Any difference should be used for the wages of other affected staff - the LSS is designed to keep employees employed.
Applications: Applications can be made following the link below. https://workandincome.govt.nz/covid-19/leave-support-scheme/how-to-apply.html
Payment: The LSS is paid as a 2-week lump sum per eligible employee as follows:
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