Updated statement from the Aotearoa Tech Union (ATU) on April 15th 2020 on the COVID-19 pandemic
We have released guides for workers and employers, which can be found on our COVID-19 campaign page. We will continue to update these pages as more information comes to light.
Kia kaha,
The ATU team
Updated statement from the Aotearoa Tech Union (ATU) on March 25th 2020 on the COVID-19 pandemic
As we head into Alert Level Four, it’s important that you follow shut down and work from home advice from the government on the covid19.govt.nz website.
There is specific advice on their website for businesses and employees. This includes information on financial support, sole traders, and physical protection measures if your work requires interaction with the public. If you can’t find the information relevant for you, get in contact with us and we will help you.
Most businesses will now work from home, or shut down. There is a list of essential businesses that need to remain open, and how they are to do so safely available on the covid19 website.
“Non-essential businesses must now close their premises. All bars, restaurants, cafes, gyms, cinemas, pools, museums, libraries, playgrounds and any other place where the public congregate must close their face to face functions.
If you are a business or worker in a non-essential business, you may still work – as long as this is from home. If you cannot work remotely, you must stay home.”
If your employer is encouraging you to go against government guidelines, you can report them directly to employment.govt.nz or get in contact with us at the ATU. We can help you decide on an appropriate course of action and support you through it.
We are and have always been a remote-first union, and are distributed across the country. We will do our best to answer your questions and assist you during this time.
Kia kaha,
The ATU team
Statement from the Aotearoa Tech Union (ATU) on March 16th 2020 on the COVID-19 pandemic.
For the duration of the COVID-19 pandemic, it’s important that you follow all advice from the Ministry of Health. This includes self-isolation and reporting measures that have been put in place by the government.
In addition to the MoH advice, we encourage tech employers to cancel or postpone work-related travel and conferences. In the interests of public health, the ATU will not hold any meetups in March, nor attend any planned events for the foreseeable future.
We are recommending the following:
- You should not be going in to work if you have flu-like symptoms (fever, cough, difficulty breathing).
- Workers who must self isolate due to COVID-19 should expect to be paid as normal.
- Workers should put together a pandemic continuity plan now. Advice for individual and business continuity plans are available online.
The legal minimum leave entitlements are not enough to cover an appropriate isolation or quarantine period, and workers shouldn’t be required to use their annual or unpaid leave when taking steps to reduce the impact of COVID-19.
People should be able to take paid time off to care for sick family members, provide childcare if schools are closed, or to self-isolate and protect their immunocompromised immediate family.
If you are set up to work remotely, that is a great way to ensure we flatten the curve and stop the spread of COVID-19.
Listen to the experts, and double check all advice you follow. Misinformation is propagating across social media at an alarming rate.
Some more useful links for you:
Stay safe and wash your hands.
Ngā mihi,
The ATU team