Our Goal

To demonstrate that there are ways to prevent many employee related issues so that they do not consume too much time.
"Closing" your office over Christmas and New Year

Closing down over Christmas/New Year? As an employer you must give one month's notice.

At this time of year we are asked many questions about whether or not an employer can close their business and ask staff to take annual leave or leave without pay. The answer is - yes.

Just remember that as an employer you need to observe the following:
  • You can only give one close down notice per calendar year.
  • You must give staff one month's notice prior to the close down commencing.
  • If an employee does not have sufficient leave entitlements to cover the close down period, the balance of that period must be taken as leave without pay.
  • Pro-rata payments may be made to employees who have worked less than 12 months.

During a period of economic slowdown, it may make sense for your business to take a longer than usual shutdown period. This makes good economic sense and may remove the need for future staff reductions.