The head of the retail chain Briscoes has rejected claims that some staff members have been required to attend meetings for no extra pay.

Photo: RNZ

A former Briscoes employee says staff there were required to go to work 15 minutes early for unpaid daily meetings - just like Smiths City workers.

The Employment Court has ordered Smiths City to repay staff, for the quarter-hour 8.45am meetings over the past six years.

However, Briscoes' managing director Rod Duke said his company, which owns both the Briscoes and Rebel Sports brands, was mindful of its obligations as an employer.

"It may have been many years ago that was the case - I don't know whether it was or was not.

"But I can tell you for the last good number of years, and probably an extended period, people have in fact been paid for the Monday meetings or the meetings which occur from time to time 15 minutes early."

He said he had checked with every regional manager today and all staff were paid for meetings.

First Union spokesperson Tali Williams said it was a practice that was prevalent in retail.

"It's common for staff to be called into meetings before their workday begins, for sales huddles and the like. It shows businesses don't value or respect their staff's personal, out of work time. I suspect this story will bring forward many more complaints."

Ms Williams said the union was calling on employers to value their employees and part of that was en suring they were paid for all hours worked.

The former Briscoes employee, who does not wish to be named, said she went to the meetings every shift for the four years she was at the company but never questioned them because she didn't know any better.

She hoped the court decision would make other companies realise they could not ask staff to come to work earlier without paying them, she said.

"I think it's positive, it sets a precedent for other work places," she said.