Everyone
COVID-19 in the workplace
Information for employees and employers about COVID-19 in the workplace.
If an employee has COVID-19
If an employee tests positive for COVID-19, Health New Zealand recommends they isolate at home for at least 5 days.
If you have COVID-19 — Health New Zealand(external link)
Employees should tell their employer if they test positive for COVID-19.
Employers should support any employees with COVID-19 to stay home in line with Health New Zealand’s recommendations. Making someone come into work when they are sick can spread illness and create safety risks — for example, if the employee is not well enough to safely operate equipment or other machinery.
Some employees may be able to work from home if they do not feel unwell.
If someone an employee lives with tests positive for COVID-19
Health New Zealand has guidance about what to do if an employee has a household contact who tests positive for COVID-19. Find out more:
Using sick leave or other leave
Employees who are sick with COVID-19 can use their sick leave while they isolate.
They can also use sick leave to care for someone who depends on them if they’re sick with COVID-19, for example, their spouse, partner or child.
If an employee does not have any sick leave left or is not entitled to sick leave yet, their employer could:
- let them take sick leave in advance
- provide paid
special leave Unpaid leave of up to 10 days that a pregnant employee can take for pregnancy-related reasons, like attending antenatal classes, scans or appointments. Also sometimes used to describe other types of leave that an employer can choose to give an employee, for example, birthday leave or leave in lieu of notice.
- agree to them using other leave, like annual holidays or unpaid leave.
Proof of sickness
If an employee wants to use sick leave, their employer can ask for proof of sickness.
Anyone who reports a positive rapid antigen test (RAT), or had a positive PCR test, will receive a confirmation text message from Health New Zealand. This is reliable proof of a person having COVID-19.
Long COVID
Most people with COVID-19 recover completely and return to normal health in 2 to 6 weeks. However, some people have symptoms that continue for 12 weeks or more after the initial infection. This is known as ‘long COVID’.
We recommend employers treat long COVID like any other long-term illness. Employers and employees should:
- check the employment agreement
- talk things through in
good faith An underlying principle in employment law which requires employers and employees to deal with each other honestly, openly, and in a fair and timely way.
- try to agree on a plan together.
Find out more:
Long COVID Programme — Ministry of Health(external link)
Managing COVID-19 in the workplace
In most workplaces, COVID-19 is no longer a work-related risk that needs special health and safety measures. It’s now treated like other common illnesses that can affect employees and their work.
However, if employers are concerned about COVID-19 — or it’s directly related to their business — they may want to have a workplace policy to help manage the risk. A policy could include steps like wearing masks or testing when someone returns to work after having COVID-19.
Employers who want to make or change workplace policies about COVID-19 will need to consult with workers and their representatives.
If employees are concerned about being in the workplace with someone who has COVID-19, they can talk to their:
- employer
- health and safety representative
- union representative.
Workplace policies and procedures
COVID-19 guidance for workplaces and workers — WorkSafe(external link)
Leave Support Scheme (wage subsidy)
The previous COVID-19 Leave Support Scheme was a wage subsidy that helped employers pay employees who had to isolate with COVID-19. It started on 6 April 2020 and ended on 15 August 2023. Employers can no longer claim this wage subsidy.