Protected Employment and Obligations
The best results come from engaging with your employer in an open and honest manner.
Protected employment
It is expected that you, as a Defence Person, engage with your employer in good faith in an open and honest manner when requesting leave. As a serving reservist you are entitled to a number of leave allowances under Part 1 of the Volunteer Employment Protection Act 1973. These consist of:
![Three Weeks Notice](assets/DESC/Defence-People-Img/Reservists-Img/_resampled/ResizedImageWzE4MCwxODBd/icon-negative-lblue-3weeks.png)
Up to three weeks
for routine part-time service or training such as field exercises and weekend or evening training
![Three Months Notice](assets/DESC/Defence-People-Img/Reservists-Img/_resampled/ResizedImageWzE4MCwxODBd/icon-negative-dblue-3months.png)
Up to three months
for whole-time service or training such as initial basic training, officer commissioning courses, short-term operations and annual exercises
Your obligations
In order to be eligible for military leave permissions you must give your employer advanced warning of your upcoming military service or deployment.
![14 Days Minimum Notice](assets/DESC/Defence-People-Img/Reservists-Img/_resampled/ResizedImageWzE4MCwxODBd/icon-negative-red-14days.png)
Fourteen days minimum notice
to your employer for part-time and whole-time service and training
Employment New Zealand explains the role that the Volunteer Employment Protection Act plays in supporting part-time elements of the Armed Forces.
Find out more about the Volunteer Employment Protection Act. (external link)