Fair Work Infoline: 13 13 94
Media Release
22 Oct 2010
Fair Work inspectors to make educational visits
to eastern Tasmanian employers
The Fair Work Ombudsman will make educational visits to about 100 businesses in eastern
Tasmania next week.
Fair Work inspectors will doorknock businesses to provide information packs to employers
who have entered the national workplace relations system.
Inspectors will focus on small and medium sized businesses in a range of industries in
towns, including Bridport, Scottsdale, St Helens, St Marys, Scamander, Bicheno,
Coles Bay, Swansea and Triabunna.
This follows educational visits to more than 200 other businesses throughout Tasmania so
far this year.
Fair Work Ombudsman Executive Director Michael Campbell says the informal visits are
aimed at assisting employers to understand national workplace laws, including the National
Employment Standards and Modern Awards.
Information packs being distributed include helpful resources such as fact sheets,
templates and Best Practice Guides and provide advice about practical steps employers can
take to adjust to the new system.
We are very serious about our job of building knowledge and creating fairer workplaces
and we are strongly focused on ensuring the community understands its workplace rights
and obligations, Mr Campbell said.
The best advice I can give to business operators is to get the basics right and everything
else should start to fall into place.
By the basics, I mean knowing what Award applies to your employees, the correct
classifications and pay rates.
to assist employees and employers to check minimum rates of pay.
Small to medium-sized businesses without human resources staff can also ensure they are
better equipped when hiring, managing and dismissing employees by using free template
employment documentation with step-by-step instructions or accessing a series of Best
Practice Guides.
The Industries section on the Fair Work Ombudsmans website provides information
specifically tailored for employers and workers in the retail, cleaning, clerical, hair and
beauty, security and horticulture industries.
Employers or employees seeking assistance or further information can also contact the Fair
Work Infoline on 13 13 94 from 8am-6pm weekdays. For translations, call 13 14 50.
Media inquiries:
Ryan Pedler, Senior Media Adviser. (03) 9954 2561, 0411 430 902.
ryan.pedler@fwo.gov.au