how does annual leave effect your cashflow

Handling annual leave is no holiday

When you pay tax, the effect on your business cash flow is obvious. A lump of cash goes out. The effect of annual leave, however, may be less apparent.

RightWay

Nov 16, 2016

But annual leave does affect your cash flow. For example:

  • If you have a Christmas-New Year closedown, your employees are entitled to be paid for the holidays before they take leave.
  • If a closedown includes public holidays, you have to pay staff for any of those days that fall on days they’d normally work.
When staff take normal leave, you’re still paying them while they’re not working; and if they quit, you have to pay out unused leave, on top of their final pay.

Although it’s not annual leave if your staff work on a public holiday, it affects cash flow because you have to pay them time and a half, and they’ll also be entitled to a day in lieu if it’s a day they’d normally work.

If you’re unaware of it, another cash flow landmine is that, unless company policy specifically rules it out, staff may exchange up to a week of annual leave for cash each year. You are not allowed to influence this decision.

If a staff member does this, the pay-out will need to be taxed as a lump sum payment, which is somewhat different from PAYE.

You may decide to allow employees to take paid leave in advance, but you should protect your position in writing by ensuring you have their agreement to deduct pay if they fail to make up the outstanding leave.

The key to managing employees’ annual leave is to have full, up-to-date records.

Payslips are a type of record. You don’t have to provide payslips, but your staff have the right to know how you’ve calculated their wages, their annual leave and sick leave, and to see records relating to their hours of work.

Payslips show them the hours they’re being paid for, the amount, allowances, deductions for ACC, KiwiSaver and anything else, and annual leave. Annual leave is a complex area, shown by the fact that it’s often handled by qualified HR personnel. 

To find out more about how RightWay can help you, contact us today

Annual leave is a complex area, shown by the fact that it’s often handled by qualified HR personnel.

Latest Articles

Is it time to outsource your bookkeeping?

Is it time to outsource your bookkeeping?

Spending too much time on bookkeeping? Learn the signs it's time to outsource, save valuable time, and keep your business finances up to da...

Choosing the right bookkeeping partner: here's what to look for.

Choosing the right bookkeeping partner: here's what to look for.

Choosing a bookkeeping partner? Learn what to look for, what questions to ask, and how to switch bookkeepers smoothly.

Payroll compliance in NZ: The mistakes that could cost you more than you think

Payroll compliance in NZ: The mistakes that could cost you more than you think

Learn the key payroll compliance requirements for New Zealand businesses, common payroll mistakes, and the hidden costs of getting payroll ...