From: James Unwin [mailto:[email address]]
Sent: Thursday, 2 April 2020 1:42 PM
To: Louise Saviker; Marta Ordejon-Mateos
Cc: Pat Stuart
Subject: Covid Wage Subsidy
Morena,
Following detailed discussion with KPMG, we have been advised to apply for the wage subsidy on
behalf of our employees.
I have started the form, located at:
Executive Office/Finance/Payroll/Wage Subsidy Application
We need to fill the relevant information for all our employees.
I have shown an example of the format required on the form.
In determining full time (20 hours or more) or part time (less than 20 hours), the following
guidance is given:
If you work variable hours (or your employee does), you can use an average to work out what
rate to apply for.
Use the average hours worked each week:
over the last 12 months, or
over the period of time you (or they) have been employed (if it's less than 12 months).
If the average hours are:
20 or more, apply for the full-time rate
less than 20, apply for the part-time rate.
We can even apply for casual staff however, if there is no work for them for the foreseeable future,
then I do not think we should apply.
Once the form is completed let me know and I will submit with a declaration on behalf of Experience
Wellington.
Any questions please let me know.
Ngā mihi James Unwin Finance Manager DDI +64 4 471 0304
Mob
experiencewellington.org.nz
Level 8, 342 Lambton Quay, PO Box 893, Wellington, New Zealand
Registered Charity CC22571
From: Pat Stuart [mailto:[email address]]
Sent: Tuesday, 7 April 2020 1:55 PM
To: Louise Saviker; James Unwin
Subject: RE: Confirmation of Wage Subsidy Application Plans
Kia ora Louise,
Agree that you have accurately listed the assumptions and actions as discussed.
With regard to the option of reducing hours by 20%, I agree that we look at this in the context of the
new Financial Year and when we have better information about the operating environment although
the only thing that will make a difference is if the rules change for Level 3 and public venues can
open.
In the meantime agree with the annual leave strategy; I mentioned this to Brett this morning and his
response was positive.
We can make some suggestions as to how leave may be taken. It will be difficult for some.
Ngā mihi Pat
Pat Stuart
Chief Executive DDI +64 4 471 0209
Mob
experiencewellington.org.nz
Level 8, 342 Lambton Quay, PO Box 893, Wellington, New Zealand
Registered Charity CC22571
From: Louise Saviker <[email address]>
Sent: Tuesday, 7 April 2020 12:18 pm
To: Pat Stuart <[email address]>; James Unwin
<[email address]>
Subject: Confirmation of Wage Subsidy Application Plans
Morena
Further to our discussion yesterday, here is the outline for our plans for our application of the wage
subsidy. Please let me know if any details are incorrect or you would like something changed.
Process
Tuesday – Wednesday Marta, Denise and Louise working on applicant
information. This includes DOB, IRD numbers, average earning calculations.
Wednesday – Louise to seek permission from staff for the application (help from
Lizzie and Marta)
Thursday - James to file application
Who we are applying for
All full time staff
All permanent part time staff (applied for and to be paid out at their average
annualised weekly earnings)
All fixed term staff
All permanent Hannah Playhouse staff – (all HPH casuals excluded). This is Kathiy,
Eleanor, Neill and Bern
All casuals who meet the following criteria:
a. Casuals are included in our application where:
i.
there is reasonable expectation by the employee they would have
been regularly employed in the next 12 weeks had there not been
COVID disruption
ii.
They were active on the roster prior to closure or were taking agreed
leave ie on holiday
iii.
We can concur that applying and paying the subsidy is an appropriate
use of crown money
b. Casuals are excluded where:
i.
They work at HPH – genuinely intermittent and casuals could not have
expected regular work over the 12 week subsidy period
ii.
they work irregularly in a genuine casual context
iii.
there work was intermittent e.g. they were working in the school holidays
etc and did not have reasonable expectation to weekly regular work
All casuals will be claimed for and paid at their average annualised weekly earnings.
Communications:
Wednesday – email from Louise to gain permission to apply. Email to detail:
Carefully explains this is subject to being approved and we are not assuming this will be the
case.
Financial snapshot provided from James/Lou -how we got to be in a position to apply now
Government subsidy if provided enables different remuneration plan – offers 12 weeks at
average earnings. No change to original communication of what we can afford going
forward beyond forecasts demonstrate we will not be able to afford our pre-COVID people
remuneration costs.
Louise to check email with James and Pat before sending.
Other communications.
Full time staff, voluntary option to go to a 0.8 or 32 hour week. With or without the option to top up
with annual leave one day per week.
All staff: expectation to book at least one weeks annual leave in the next 12 weeks. Those with leave
balances of over 100 hours should seek to book additional leave in the next 12 weeks.
Further thoughts
I do not think I can work to appropriately work to communicate and get agreement at this time for a
20% reduction to salaries to a group or to all. Suggest this one is kept in reserve and introduced
later if needed. Best case is the wage subsidy sees us through to the end of the financial year. I
suggest we wait till we have the budget for 2021 sorted and see what we need to do with
remuneration costs and then look to have a range of potential solutions to manage this based on
financial modelling in the first instance, alongside a better understanding of resourcing needed e.g.
museum open or closed/level of operation we are expecting (from Pat’s current planning
framework). Better analysis of working remotely agreements – mapping of activity. These things to
inform remuneration options.
Nāku noa, nā Louise
Louise Saviker
MANAGER, PEOPLE AND CAPABILITY
DDI +64 4 471 0919 ext 272
experiencewellington.org.nz
Level 8, 342 Lambton Quay, PO Box 893, Wellington, New Zealand
Registered Charity CC22571
Cable Car Museum | Capital E | City Gallery Wellington | Nairn Street Cottage | Space Place | Wellington Museum
