Holidays Act payroll remediation for former employees

NZ Police have identified a number of payroll related issues which, over time, have resulted in staff receiving incorrect payments.

The issues relate to entitlements under the Holidays Act 2003. The specific areas that require remediation date back to 2004, and are primarily related to the payment of statutory holidays, and the rate of payment for annual, sick and bereavement leave.

The final calculations and checking are complete, and we are trying to contact all affected former staff to advise any amount owed.

Police are using the last contact details we had for people when they left Police.

If you think you may be eligible (you must have been employed by the NZ Police between 2004 and 2015), and you don’t believe we have your correct contact details, please fill out the contact details form so we can contact you.

For further information please email payroll@police.govt.nz.

Frequently asked questions

What are the Payroll issues?

NZ Police have identified a number of payroll related issues which, over time, have resulted in staff receiving incorrect payments.

The issues relate to entitlements under the Holidays Act 2003, and how a range of allowances and entitlements have been interpreted and implemented into PeopleSoft. The specific areas that require remediation date back to 2004, and are primarily related to the payment of statutory holidays, and the rate of payment for annual, sick and bereavement leave.

The Holidays Act is complex legislation with strict rules and calculations for different types of leave. For a detailed explanation of each issue being remediated, please email payroll@police.govt.nz.

Who is impacted by these issues?

The issue relates to people who were employed by Police between 2004 and 2015.

Not all staff who worked during this period are affected. If you didn’t work a statutory holiday or if your leave was calculated at a higher rate during this period, you may not be one of the people receiving a reconciliation payment.

How will I know if I’m entitled to a payment?

We’ll be writing to everyone who is owed a payment and we are required to do this through a physical mailing address.

You must have worked for the Police between 2004 and 2015. Affected people will receive a letter from NZ Police with information about their payment and how to claim it. Police are using the last contact details we had for people when they left Police. If you think you are eligible and you don’t believe we have your correct contact details, please complete a Contact Details Form online to ensure correspondence can reach you.

Why haven’t I received a letter advising what I’m owed?

There are two reasons why you may not have received a letter.

  1. You may be one of the people who are not affected by these issues. If you would like to check, email payroll@police.govt.nz.
  2. The address we have for you may not be your current address. We encourage former staff to complete a Contact Details Form online to ensure any correspondence can reach you.

How much will my payment be?

Due to earning history and leave patterns being unique, every case has been assessed individually; therefore, each payment amount will be different. Police will be writing to each person to advise of the money they are owed.

What documents do I need to make a claim?

To enable us to make payment we will need the following documentation from you:

  • Proof of Identity: birth certificate, passport, certificate of citizenship, immigration NZ Visa, drivers licence, or HANZ 18+ card
  • Additional information and Superannuation Advice
  • Tax Code and IRD number: a signed IR330
  • Bank account details for payment: Confirmation of Bank Account form

Please forward the above documentation to Police Remediation Centre, PO Box 3017, Wellington 6140, or email scanned copies to payroll@police.govt.nz.

How will super contributions be managed?

We have asked former staff to advise if superannuation should be paid into the SSRS or KiwiSaver scheme. If neither of these options are selected your payment will be inclusive of the superannuation amount.

How do I claim on behalf of a deceased person, or someone for whom I hold power of attorney?

We will need you to provide documentation to verify your identity and to confirm that you are authorised to act on behalf of the estate. If you are the authorised person for someone who has died and who left Police during this time period, please contact us at payroll@police.govt.nz and we will get in touch with you.

My bank account has recently changed. How will you pay me?

If you receive a letter please complete the enclosed Confirmation of Bank Account form and return by post. If you think you are eligible and don’t receive a letter, please complete the contact details form and we will get in touch with you.

What if I have moved house, how will you know my new address?

Please provide your updated details on the contact details form and we will be in touch with you.

When will I receive the money I’m owed into my back account?

Upon receipt of your documentation outlined in the letter to you, we will mail or email you a Reconciliation Summary Sheet advising the amount owing to you.  We will then process your documentation and arrange payment to your nominated bank account as soon as possible.

Why aren’t you paying staff any interest or compensation for the correctives payments?

A number of factors have been considered in deciding whether it was appropriate for Police to pay an additional amount in the form of interest or compensation.  These factors included the following:

  1. Given the amount of money owed to staff, it would not be fiscally responsible for Police to pay interest or compensation.
  2. Police are not legally obliged to pay interest or compensation in this situation.
  3. Where possible, assumptions have been made in favour of employees or the most generous method of calculation has been used.

How will my remediation payment affect tax/benefits/other?

You will be taxed in accordance the tax code you provide us.  We encourage you to make contact with relevant organisations to discuss any impact this remediation payment might have on child support, benefits or other such matters.

Why has it taken so long to organise these payments?

We appreciate this process has taken time to progress, however our focus has been to ensure our calculations are as accurate as possible. We have taken all possible steps to ensure we get this right for our people, while ensuring compliance in the future. The issues are complex and affect over 15,750 people, so it has taken time to work through all the data, and ensure we have been as accurate as possible.

What involvement have the Service Organisations had?

The Service Organisations have been fully briefed.

Who can I contact if I need more information?

Please send your query to payroll@police.govt.nz. If you think you are owed a payment, but you have not received a letter, please complete the contact details form, and we will contact you.