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EMPLOYMENT CRISIS - WARNING SIGNS OF A BAD HIRE

09/12/2021

The current job market is perhaps the worst the town has experienced in recent memory. Increasingly business hiring is becoming desperate as the pool of candidates remains very tight. However, there is truth in the statement that making a bad hire in the short term, will cost you significantly more in the long run through disruption, decreased productivity, employee counselling and finally having to replace the bad hire. Despite the...

JobFix is NZ’s online job board for Queenstown

09/12/2021

Jobfix.co.nz is Queenstown’s local premier jobs board. With the support of The Lakes Weekly team, it's again posting in excess of 800 jobs in November and over 100 employers advertising available roles. Jobfix.co.nz competes with the national big boys predominantly Seek and Trade Me for the number of jobs available in town. So how does it stack up. During November, there we 400 local jobs posted, with 85 applications sent through the...

No quick fix for Queenstown’s labour market mess

09/12/2021

Who would want to run a business right now? Contending with often confusing traffic light rules, unprecedented economic conditions brought on by lockdowns and closed travel and visitor markets. On top of this local companies continue to deal with a crippling labour and skills shortage. The difficulties in hiring have seen the number of jobs advertised in November skyrocket. The JobFix.co.nz numbers, just released for...

Getting ready for Winter Pride!

10/08/2021

It's just 3 weeks until Winter Pride kicks off in Queenstown and Wanaka. One way you can show your businesses support is to fly the flag. Westpac now have hundreds of the new Pride Progress Flags available in their Queenstown, Frankton, and Wanaka branches. Make sure you fly these proud or place them somewhere visible! Please also take a photo and tag @winterpridenz and @pridepledge #youbeingyou #winterpridenz #pridepledge and...

July - an easing in job advertising numbers especially in the tourism sectors

10/08/2021

The pausing of the Trans-Tasman bubble has created a conundrum for tourism dependant businesses. Do I add staff, or are we overstaffed? While the travel bubble is now on hold, it’s likely to be that way for some time based on the spread of the Delta variant in NSW and now into Queensland and Victoria. How that’s going to impact accommodation bookings into summer and tourism activities is still unknown. The unknown factor...

Leave entitlements change as of July

16/07/2021

Leave entitlements change as of July Parliament has passed legislation to increase the minimum employee sick leave entitlement from 5 days to 10 days per year. Most employees who have worked for an employer for six months or over are entitled to sick leave if they, or a dependent, are sick or injured. Currently, employees are entitled to 5 days of sick leave per year; however, from 24 July 2021 this will increase to 10 days per year....

Queenstown getting a share of $4.5 million for wellbeing post-Covid

16/07/2021

Queenstown getting a share of $4.5 million for wellbeing post-Covid Mental wellbeing support is being rolled out to five South Island communities, including Queenstown most affected by the absence of international tourists. Tourism Minister Stuart Nash is in the resort Thursday to announce details of how tourism operators and communities can access the $4.5 million support. It is part of the government’s $200 million Tourism...

JobFix ramps up promotion in Australia to assist employers

16/07/2021

JobFix ramps up promotion in Australia to assist employers With few candidates available for positions and many businesses requiring staff for the ski season JobFix has ramped up its social media marketing targeting Australian and NZ’ers who may be looking at a short-term snow-cation, and open to earning some income while here. Facebook campaigns have been launched targeting Queensland and Victoria in Australia, unfortunately...

Essential skills visas extended for some foreign workers

16/07/2021

Essential skills visas extended for some foreign workers At least 18,000 foreign workers will be allowed to stay in New Zealand twice as long after changes to essential skill visas. From Monday, people on those visas for jobs paid below the median wage will be able to stay two years instead of one and the application process will be streamlined. The maximum duration of essential skills visas for jobs that pay above the median wage...

Staffing woes drive June Job numbers higher

16/07/2021

Staffing woes drive June Job numbers higher Just how difficult it is for businesses looking for staff is clearly visible in the June job numbers. Job Openings in Queenstown are at another record in June according to data released by JobFix.com with 783 open positions being advertised during the month. 2018 was the previous highest June with 458 roles advertised but 2021 has eclipsed this by 70%. The roles advertised also grew 45% over...

Business Confidence Survey paints a grim picture.

15/03/2021

Business Confidence in the Wakatipu is expected to deteriorate significantly in the next three months according to the results of a recent survey of 241 local businesses on business sentiment, economy and key indicators of business success. 83% of all Wakatipu businesses, rising to 93% of tourism & hospitality businesses, expect the region’s economic situation to deteriorate in the next three months, with almost a third of...

Have you been made redundant as a result of Covid?

17/11/2020

The Queenstown Chamber of Commerce, with the support of Westpac NZ, are offering free, individual, memberships to businesspeople who have been made redundant due to Covid-19. The free, 12-month membership, called WeAreCommunity, is aimed at managers, team leaders and supervisors who are committed to remaining in Queenstown and who would like to stay connected to the business community. Members are able to take advantage of attending the...

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