Luscombe said employers could pay staff less than their normal wage, and top it up with annual holidays, only if employees consented to this and were given a reasonable amount of time to consider their options. Employers that forced workers to take annual leave during the lockdown, without genuine consultation and less than 14 days notice, acted unlawfully, she said. Have you been affected? Get in touch anuja.nadkarni@stuff.co.nz H&M told staff it would apply for the wage subsidy if it was eligible but was awaiting details from the Ministry of Social Development on how to apply for the latest round.