Employers tardy on contracts

With one in four farm employees not having written employment contracts, Federated Farmers believes farm employers have to tighten farm scale human resource policies.

Federated Farmers president Don Nicolson says it’s a big worry to see so many farm businesses, as much as 24 percent, so exposed by not having written employment contracts.

“While good to see nine percent more farm businesses becoming compliant over the past year, there’s still this huge hole,” he says. “The Employment Court has little sympathy with employers when no contract is involved.

“Working relationships are fine when things are going well, but when things go awry, it gets very litigious, very quickly.

“This further extends to spotty record keeping too with only around 40 percent of farm employers reporting that they recorded employee.

“If I can send a strong message to all farm employers it is to get their systems in order. If farmers need help, they can call Federated Farmers on 0800 327 646 to speak with an employment law advisor. The service is free.