Businesses and unions aren't seeing eye-to-eye on the Government's latest employment law changes

New staff now won't automatically join a collective agreement for 30 days - and don't have to be informed of their union options.

It's sparked dismay from unions - which say the move removes worker protections.

But Business NZ's Catherine Beard says the rules had created a lot of paperwork for employers - and confusion for new employees.

She says if people want to join the union, they're free too - but she takes the view that they should be opting in, not having to opt out.