Covid 19 coronavirus: Payments of $ 350 begin for self-isolating staff awaiting test results

The $ 350 payment to employers to pay workers who need to isolate themselves while waiting for a test but cannot work from home begins tomorrow.

The new Short-Term Leave Pay (STAP), announced in December, also supports people who have a dependent who needs to stay home.

The one-time payment will be available through the Ministry of Social Development and is an extension of the License Support Plan that is still available.

Labor Relations Minister Michael Wood said the STAP could also be used to cover the cost of a worker’s sick leave if they feel unwell but don’t have any sick leave.

“We have heard from both companies and workers who said we needed a way to support companies to help workers stay home if they get tested.”

How does short-term absence pay work?

If the employee requiring isolation has taken sick leave with the right to do so, the employer must use the $ 350 to pay the worker his or her normal wages.

If the staff member has exhausted all of their sick leave, the employer should attempt to complete the $ 350 pay of the worker’s normal salary or, at a minimum, pay the worker’s leave pay in full.

Workers are not required to have used any or all of their paid leave rights before their employer requests Short-Term Leave Pay on their behalf.

If an employee’s usual salary is less than or equal to Short-Term Leave Pay, the company must pay the worker his or her usual salary. Any difference should be used to help pay any other affected personnel.

To obtain payment, companies must sign a statement that they meet the criteria and a company can only submit an application once in a 30-day period for each individual worker, unless otherwise directed by medical council.

Covid-19 short-term absence pay is available to:

• companies (including registered companies, sole traders, self-employed, registered charities, incorporated companies, non-governmental organizations or post-liquidation government entities) in New Zealand that employ and pay the workers named in your application.

• companies using a variety of job types, including full-time, part-time, casual and fixed-term contracts.

Companies can apply on behalf of workers who cannot work from home and are:

• stay home while waiting for Covid-19 test results.

• the parent or caregiver of a dependent who stays home while waiting for the Covid-19 test results.

• someone who has been told by a health official or doctor to isolate himself because he is a member of the household or a secondary contact while awaiting test results from a close contact.