Head of the Labour Inspectorate Simon Humphries has reminded retailers about the importance of understanding Easter and Anzac Day trading laws. 

According to the Shop Trading Hours Act 1990, almost all shops must close on three and a half days each year, including Christmas Day, Good Friday, Easter Sunday, and until 1pm on Anzac Day.

Businesses permitted to trade on Easter Sunday include dairies, petrol stations, pharmacies, restaurants or cafes, hairdressers, barbers, and farmers and crafts markets, but they must meet specific conditions.

“Employees have the right to refuse work on Easter Sunday without providing a reason. This right applies to all shop employees, including those in exempted shops like dairies and petrol stations, as well as staff performing non-trading work such as shelf-stacking or stocktaking,” noted Humphries.

He added that employers must notify employees of this right in writing between four and eight weeks before the holiday, and that failure to provide proper notice means employees cannot be compelled to work. 

“We want both employers and employees to understand that they have responsibilities and a process to follow when either an employer wants an employee to work on Easter Sunday, and where employees don’t want to work that day,” Humphries said.

Councils can implement local policies that allow shops within their area to trade on Easter Sunday by notifying the Ministry of Business, Innovation & Employment (MBIE).  

People can also notify the MBIE if they suspect a business is breaching the Easter trading laws via the online reporting form.