24 Aug 2010

Holidays bill passes first hurdle

5:28 pm on 24 August 2010

A bill enabling workers to cash in the fourth week of their annual leave has passed its first hurdle in Parliament.

The Holidays Amendment Bill also allows employers to request a medical certificate when a worker is off sick, without requiring proof the employee is pulling a "sickie".

The bill passed its first reading by 69 votes to 52 on Tuesday with support from the ACT, Maori and United Future parties.