• • YOU MUST RECEIVE A SIGNED EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT BEFORE STARTING WORK. Keep a copy, it will come in handy.

• • The agreement needs to tell you where you will work, how many hours a day/week you will work and how much you will be paid.

• • Is there an end date to your employment or assignment? If not, it is likely you are a permanent employee.  If in doubt, call your union.

• • Your hours cannot be reduced without your consent.

• • If a shift is cancelled without notice, you may be entitled to full payment for that shift.

• • If you are on a long-term assignment with no end date, you may actually be an employee of the host company and entitled to additional pay and benefits.

• • You have the right to a fair disciplinary process.  That means you cannot have your hours cut or be disadvantaged without good reason.

We offer free advice for labour-hire workers. If you would like your agreement reviewed or any advice on the above, please contact FIRST Union on 0800 444 222.

If there is a hazard in your workplace, you have the following rights:

• The right to refuse unsafe work

• The right to organise workers around the issue and take it up with the boss

• The right to ask a trained health and safety representative to take enforcement steps

• The right to contact a WorkSafe Inspector

• The right to go on strike in some circumstances

Contact WorkSafe on 0800 030 040 or visit the WorkSafe website

Everyone has the right to decent and productive work, in conditions of freedom, equity, security and human dignity. Unions ensure that, as a worker, your voice is heard, your views are respected and your rights under the law are upheld.

• Employees have the right to decide whether to join a union and, if so, which union. It is illegal for an employer (or anyone else) to put unreasonable pressure on an employee to not join a union.

• Once employees have joined a union, employers must, if asked, enter into bargaining for a collective agreement with that union.

• Unions exist for workers to support each other so that they don’t have to face problems on their own. When workers act together, they have strength and safety in numbers, and a better chance of getting what they need at work and beyond.

• Unions are democratically run by their members. Union members elect representatives (delegates) from their workplaces, and make decisions on things like how the union is run and what to negotiate with the employer.

Contact FIRST Union on 0800 863 477 or visit the FIRST Union website

Depending on your living situation and income, you may be eligible to Work and Income assistance.

• Accommodation Supplement

• Disability Allowance

• Temporary Additional Support

• Advance Payment of Benefit

• Special Needs Grants

• Working for Families

Contact Auckland Action Against Poverty (AAAP) on 09 634 0591 or visit the AAAP website