But it doesn't increase any further, in spite of how long a trial may run. The allowance was last increased in 1996. Some companies include jury service leave in their employment contracts. Others allow staff to take annual leave or leave without pay, or simply pay them in full during jury service. MidCentral Health communications manager Terry Tacon says his organisation has no problem with staff serving on a jury.
Staff can take annual leave, leave on full pay or leave without pay.
Anyone taking leave on full pay is then expected to hand over the jury service fee to the company. Anyone taking annual leave or leave without pay keeps the daily allowance. At Palmerston North City Council, the situation is much the same. But staff who regularly work overtime miss out on that extra income. Mr Fairclough believes only 10 to 20 percent of employers can afford to carry the cost of having staff on jury service for any length of time.