Treat 'Em Mean...

In case it seems like New Zealand's labour laws are out of step with the rest of the world (is that the "step change" John Key keeps banging on about?), the Guardian reports on the case of a German police officer who sued his boss and won an extra week's holiday to cover the time it takes to take his unform on and off.

A German police officer has won the right to be rewarded for the time he spends getting in and out of his uniform after claiming that it should be considered part of his working day.

Martin Schauder, 44, has earned an extra week of holiday – or pay – every year, after taking his case to an administrative court in Münster, north-west Germany, the Münstersche Zeitung reported.

Schauder, who joined the police at 16, calculated that it took him 15 minutes each day to don the correct uniform and accompanying equipment including his pistol, handcuffs and gas canister. He argued that if he was not paid for the time, he was effectively giving his employer, the state, 45 to 50 hours a year, for free.

He told the court: "If my shift starts at 1pm, say, I'm expected to be completely fitted out by then, including my pistol, handcuffs and reserve weapon, otherwise I face being cautioned."

The court ruled in his favour.

Can you even imagine someone trying that here? Those crazy Europeans have no idea about economics and labour policy, have they?

2009: German per capita GDP US$40875, NZ per capita GDP US$27,259
2008: Average hours worked per German worker 1430, average hours worked per New Zealand worker 1753
2008: GDP per hour worked in Germany 39.5 Euros, GDP per hour worked in New Zealand NZ$38.2

No idea...