Sick leave and public holiday pay calculator
Find out what you are owed for working or missing a public holiday, and how many sick days you have left. Quick answer first, fine print below.
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Public holiday pay, in plain English
It comes down to two questions. Would it normally be a working day for you? That is the "otherwise working day" test: would you have worked if it were not a public holiday? And did you work it?
| Working day for you? | You worked it | You did not work it |
|---|---|---|
| Yes, you would normally work | At least time and a half for hours worked, plus an alternative holiday (a paid day off later) | Paid your normal day's pay (relevant daily pay) |
| No, not a day you work | At least time and a half for hours worked. No alternative holiday | Nothing owed |
"Time and a half" applies to the hours you actually worked on the day. If your agreement pays more (double time, or ordinary pay plus a penal rate), you get whichever is higher.
Does a weekend public holiday move?
If a public holiday falls on a Saturday or Sunday and you do not normally work weekends, it moves to the next working day (often called Mondayisation). You and your employer can also agree to move it to a different day. Work out your holiday pay on the day it moves to.
Sick leave, in plain English
You get 10 days of paid sick leave a year once you have worked 6 months. Each year after that you get another 10. Days you do not use carry over, but your total can never go above 20. So if you have 15 days left over, you start the new year with 20, not 25. You can use sick leave when you are sick or injured, or to look after a partner, child or other dependant who is.
You are paid what you would normally have earned on the day. After 3 or more days off in a row your employer can ask for proof, and if they ask earlier they have to cover the reasonable cost of it.
Other leave worth knowing
| Leave | What you get | When |
|---|---|---|
| Bereavement leave | Up to 3 days for a spouse, partner, parent, child, sibling, grandparent or grandchild. Up to 1 day for other relationships your employer accepts | After 6 months |
| Family violence leave | 10 days paid a year. Unused days do not carry over | After 6 months |
For annual holiday pay, see the holiday pay calculator.
Questions people ask
Do I get paid for a public holiday if I do not work it?
Yes, if it is a day you would normally have worked. You are paid what you would normally have earned that day. If it is not a day you would normally work, you are not paid for it.
What do I get for working on a public holiday?
At least time and a half for the hours you work. If it would normally have been a working day for you, you also get an alternative holiday, which is a paid day off to use later.
What does otherwise working day mean?
A day you would have worked if it were not a public holiday. A day on annual leave, sick leave, bereavement leave or family violence leave does not count as one.
How many sick days do I get in NZ?
Ten paid days a year after 6 months of continuous employment. Unused days carry over, up to a maximum total of 20 days.
Do I need a medical certificate for sick leave?
Only if you are off for 3 or more days in a row. If your employer asks for proof earlier, they have to cover the reasonable cost.
Can I use sick leave to look after my child?
Yes. Sick leave can be used when you are sick or injured, or to look after a partner, child or other dependant who is sick or injured.
Does sick leave reset every year?
Each year you get another 10 days, but your unused balance cannot go above 20 days in total, so any extra over the cap is lost.
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Sources: Employment NZ: public holidays, rights for employees, Employment NZ: sick leave, Employment NZ: leave and holidays guide, Leave Balance: sick leave under the Holidays Act.