Worker wellbeing
You can support new workers in your workplace, and outside of work, by helping them feel safe and well-integrated.
Wellbeing in the workplace
Introduction
Prepare an introduction of your workplace for new workers from overseas — this will help them to get familiar with your workplace and learn what is expected of them, lowering the chance of misunderstandings.
Preparing for when workers from overseas arrive
Assign a buddy
You can help a new worker to settle into the workplace by pairing them with a buddy — an experienced worker who can provide support and guidance during their first few weeks. This can also help to resolve any small problems that come up, and gives the worker someone to talk to and ask questions of.
Preparing for when workers from overseas arrive
A safe workplace
It is your responsibility to make sure new workers have a safe workplace, with the right training, supervision and equipment.
You must also help in identifying, assessing and managing hazards. You need to tell your workers how to do this in a way that they can understand.
New Zealand employment law
It is a legal requirement to provide new workers with a written employment agreement. Workers from overseas may not be familiar with employment agreements, so it is important to provide them with a clearly written employment agreement — this will help reduce the risk of any misunderstandings about their job.
An employment agreement should contain information on New Zealand employment conditions such as work hours, annual and sick leave entitlements and public holidays.
Employment agreements — Employment New Zealand
For more information on employment relations, pay, holidays, and health and safety, go to the Employment New Zealand website or call the Ministry’s helpline. Your new worker also needs to know that they can call the helpline and request language assistance if they want an interpreter.
Contact us — Employment New Zealand
Wellbeing outside the workplace
Health care in New Zealand
Encourage new employees to sign up with their local general practitioner (GP) as soon as they can.
Most people who have a resident visa, or are on a work visa that is valid for 2 years or more, will be eligible for publicly funded health care. Enrolling with a GP makes it cheaper for them to see a doctor.
New Zealand residents can also choose to take out medical insurance to get private health care. Some insurance will require eligibility for publicly funded health care. Those who do not qualify should get medical insurance from their home country.
Getting health care and finding a doctor
Who can get public health care
Feeling safe
Let your workers know how to stay safe in New Zealand. People from overseas may not always trust police or know which number to dial in an emergency.
You can also help workers to be prepared for an emergency. Disasters can and do happen in New Zealand and there are some basic things everyone needs to do to be ready, just in case.
Staying safe and knowing your rights
Connecting in their community
It is important to support and help new workers settle into their community, as well as your workplace. This can in turn can contribute to their wellbeing and performance at work.
Setting up your life in New Zealand
Resources for workers from overseas
There are excellent resources and information available to help new workers settle in to work and life in New Zealand.