We understand how frustrating it can be for a Sidekick when a job is canceled (or modified with a reduction of hours). For this reason, Sidekicker has set up commercial arrangements with most of our New Zealand clients to ensure that a Sidekick will be paid if a Client fails to provide sufficient cancellation/ modification notice to our Sidekicks.
Sidekicker will work with our Clients and compensate our Sidekicks in the following circumstances:
To cancel a “rostered shift” / “shift” that is “continuous” (for a period of 4 weeks or more), a Client is required to provide at least 12 hours cancellation notice to the Sidekick. In the event if the Client fails to provide the required 12 hours notice, the Sidekick will be paid 50% of the relevant daily pay, for the shift that was canceled.
The shift cancellation provision is also included in Clause 7 of the Sidekick casual employment agreement (updated 20 February 2023).
Sidekicker will work closely with the Client and provide you with advance notice if your assignment is considered to be a “shift” for the purpose of this cancellation provision.
For other jobs that are not “shift”, a Client is required to provide 4 hours cancellation notice to the Sidekick. In the event if the Client fails to provide the required 4 hours notice, the Sidekick will be paid up to 4 hours of the job that was being canceled/ modified.
If a Client modifies a shift/job or reduces the working hours advertised for a shift/job without providing sufficient notice of 12 hours (for shift) or 4 hours (for other jobs that are not “shift”), Sidekicker will work with the Client to compensate the Sidekick as follows:
(i) If a Sidekick decides not to take up the job/ shift as a result of the modification - the Sidekick will be paid up to 2 hours of the expected job/ shift
(ii) If a Sidekick decides to continue with the modified shift/ job, the Sidekick will be paid in accordance with the modified working hours; but if the modified working hours for the shift/ job go below 4 hours, the Sidekick will be compensated with the balance of working hours to make up to the minimum of 4 working hours.
Please note that ‘shift’ work is defined at section 67G(9) of the ERA 2000 as a period of work performed in a system of work in which periods of work are continuous or effectively continuous; and may occur at different times on different days of the week.
Cancellation or modification after a job/shift has commenced
Due to the fluctuating nature of casual jobs/ shifts, sometimes, a Client might have to cancel or reduce the working hours as a result of changes to demand after a job or shift has commenced.
Sidekicker will work with the Clients to ensure that any such cancellation or reduction will not exceed more than 50% of the working hours that has been advertised OR the working hours do not go below minimum 4 working hours (whichever is the greater).
If a Client cancels or reduces the expected working hours after a job / shift has commenced (e.g. by asking a Sidekick to leave a job/ shift earlier than as advertised), and the modified working hours for the shift/ job go below 4 hours, the Sidekick will be compensated with the balance of working hours to make up to the minimum of 4 working hours.
If you have any questions or concerns about this policy, please contact [email protected] .