To combat the rise in complaints over pay, the Fair Work Ombudsman has begun a new initiative to educate organisations about pay compliance.
One hundred businesses in Tamworth and Armidale will be visited next week by inspectors from the Fair Work Ombudsman (FWO) as part of a new campaign for education and compliance.
The inspectors will be checking employers to ensure they are keeping accurate records and issuing pay slips, as well as complying with the requirement to provide all new employees with a copy of the Fair Work Information Statement.
The FWO revealed the organisations will be selected at random and come from a range of industries.
“Businesses who fail to keep proper employment records and issue employees detailed pay slips are at much higher risk of underpaying their workers, which is why we are focusing on these areas,” Fair Work Ombudsman Natalie James said. Tamworth and Armidale have been persistent sources of complaints from workers regarding underpayment.
When inspectors find non-compliance issues, they will attempt to assist employers to rectify the issues voluntarily, and put processes in place to ensure future compliance. James highlights this educational role as a key element of the FWO.
“It’s our role to ensure workers receive their full entitlements, including the minimum shift hours under their modern award or agreement. It’s also important young workers receive a copy of the Fair Work Information Statement, which details their workplace entitlements,” she added.
A Fair Work inspector will also be delivering a free presentation on workplace laws on Monday at the Armidale Business Chamber.
