What’s at stake: Employers will now be criminally liable where they intentionally withhold an employee’s wages or other monetary entitlements without reasonable excuse.
Background: The Crimes (Theft by Employer) Amendment Act 2025 came into force on March 14. Where convicted, employers who are individuals will face up to one year in prison and/or a $5000 fine. All other employers will face a fine of up to $30,000.
Main players: Crimes Act 1961, Simpson Grierson partner Rachel Judge, New Zealand's employers, payroll managers and employees.
Last week a seemingly minor change to the Crimes Act was passed, which will impact all employers. The change creates a new criminal offence for employers and those who aid and abet them if they intentionally withhold wages.
Section 220AA of the Crimes Act now makes it a criminal offence where an
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What’s at stake: Employers will now be criminally liable where they intentionally withhold an employee’s wages or other monetary entitlements without reasonable excuse.
Background: The Crimes (Theft by Employer) Amendment Act 2025 came into force on March 14. Where convicted, employers who are individuals will face up to one year in prison and/or a $5000 fine. All other employers will face a fine of up to $30,000.
Main players: Crimes Act 1961, Simpson Grierson partner Rachel Judge, New Zealand's employers, payroll managers and employees.
