Everyone
Jury service leave
Employees, summoned for jury service, are entitled to leave from their workplace to fulfil their jury duty. The Ministry of Justice administers jury service.
How jury service works
If an employee is called up for jury service, they are required by law to attend, and their job is protected while they do so. Their employer must allow them to attend jury service.
However, if the employee’s absence from work causes difficulty because of special commitments or responsibilities they may have, they can apply to be excused or to have their service deferred, for which their employer can provide them with a letter of support.
An employee cannot be dismissed or have their position threatened for attending jury service. If they are, they can bring a personal grievance against their employer, who could receive a fine of up to $10,000.
It is illegal for an employer to require their employees to use their Every employee is entitled to at least four weeks paid annual holidays (annual leave) each year when they have worked for their employer for 12 months. In some situations, an employee can be paid 8% of their gross earnings with their regular pay instead of getting paid time off (also see Pay-as-you-go)
Getting paid during jury service
Those who attend jury service receive a small attendance fee from the Ministry of Justice.
Employers do not have to pay their employees while they are on jury service, but many choose to ‘top up’ the money they get from the Ministry of Justice so that their employees receive their normal pay.
Employees should check their Employment agreements contain the terms and conditions of employment. Every employee must have a written employment agreement outlining the terms and conditions of employment. ‘Employment agreement’ has a broader meaning that includes all other documents and other agreements forming part of the contractual agreement between the employee and employer.
Employers are encouraged to include a clause relating to jury service in employment agreements.
Employment Agreement Builder - Business.govt.nz(external link)