Employment and training services
Open employment for employment programmes and services is different from open employment for Supported Living Payment purposes.
The definition of open employment for employment programmes and services is governed by the Social Security Act 2018. In the context of support for people with ill health and disabilities, open employment is a job available to anyone in the community who has an employment agreement attached as defined in the Employment Relations Act 2000.
This means that a client who is considered to be working in sheltered employment for Supported Living Payment purposes may also be considered to be working in open employment for employment programmes or services assistance.
Example of a severely disabled client in open employment
A leading NZ freight company has advertised a position for a store person. John, who is severely disabled and was receiving Supported Living Payment, applied for and was successfully appointed as their new store person.
Because of John's disability, his new employer has substantially changed the working conditions to accommodate John.
In this situation, the degree of change to the conditions of John's employment means we can accept employment is sheltered for the purposes of John's entitlement to Supported Living Payment.
In addition, because the position has been advertised in the open market, the job is considered to be open employment. This means Work and Income can also consider programmes and services and financial assistance for clients with severe disabilities to achieve unsubsidised and sustainable employment.
For more information see:
- Deskfile Approved Business Enterprises
- Employment and training Clients who have a health condition, injury or disability
Legislation
- sheltered employment (definition) schedule 2 Social Security Act 2018
- open employment (definition) schedule 2 Social Security Act 2018
