Quick reads
ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE IN HR: THREAT OR OPPORTUNITY
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RNZ’s recent survey on artificial intelligence (AI) reveals a division of perception surrounding AI’s role in HR processes. The survey of HRNZ members and other HR professionals shows only 27 per cent of respondents were currently using AI in their HR processes. The most prevalent areas of use were in CV screening, learning and development and HR analytics. The benefits appear to be largely productivity related, with respondents indicating improved efficiency and streamlined administrative procedures were the main impacts.
Overall, it seems some HR professionals still have a ‘wait and see’ approach while others are seeking to learn and actively build strategies to explore its use.
NEW GOVERNMENT EMPLOYMENT LAW CHANGES?
event of dismissing an employee within this timeframe.
he National Party has received the largest share of votes at the October General Election and is likely to lead the next government. What employment policy changes are likely to occur under a Nationalled government?
The manifestos of National and ACT have also outlined abolishing the Fair Pay Agreements system. It is not yet apparent what will happen to those agreements in the process of bargaining at the time that repeal would take effect.
National, ACT and New Zealand First have proposed reinstating the 90-day trial period for all employers. This would imply that organisations can incorporate the trial period provisions in their employment contracts and use them in the
In addition, the National Party’s campaign manifesto set out that it would stop all work on Labour’s proposed income insurance scheme and amend current parental leave laws so it is possible for both parents to take paid leave at the same time.
T 8 HUMAN RESOURCES | SUMMER 2023/24
The perceived lack of human interaction was listed as the biggest concern for respondents (56 per cent) and privacy and data security concerns were also regarded as challenges (40 per cent). Similarly, 26 per cent of respondents felt AI was negatively affecting the employee–candidate experience.
Anne Wilson, Anthony Harper’s employment law Partner says strict requirements are still in place around trial periods imposed by the courts. Employers can start preparing by amending their employment agreements to include trial periods and making sure they have the right processes in place so they can rely on the trial period if things don’t go according to plan. “There have been a number of recent changes to employment law in the last few years so employers may also want to make sure their agreements are up to date,” says Anne.
