Fair Work Infoline: 13 13 94
Media Release
8 Feb 2010
Fair Work inspectors to call on Northern
Victorian employers
The Fair Work Ombudsman has announced plans to step up scrutiny of employers
in Northern Victoria.
The regulator has put businesses in Tongala, Goornong, Elmore, Rochester,
Kyabram, Rushworth and Tatura on notice that they will be subject to random
audits.
A team of inspectors from the Agency’s Bendigo office will visit retail, hospitality,
hairdressing and farm supply businesses.
They are expected to make surprise visits to about 30 businesses tomorrow and
Wednesday (Feb 9 & 10).
Employers will be asked to open their books to inspectors so they can check if
staff are being paid correctly.
The audits will focus on employers’ record-keeping and pay slips to ensure they
are complying with their legal obligations.
Fair Work inspectors will also provide information and advice to employers.
Fair Work Ombudsman Executive Director Michael Campbell says the face-to-face
contacts are part of a rolling campaign in Victoria.
Similar visits have already been made in Wodonga and Hamilton and are also
planned this week in Wonthaggi and Phillip Island.
“We are very serious about our job of ensuring the community understands its
rights and obligations in the workplace,” Mr Campbell said.
In cases where records are not up to scratch or indicate workers are being
underpaid, inspectors may launch a wider investigation.
“Where we find records are not adequate or identify other non-compliance issues,
we will provide information and assistance to employers and request they
voluntarily rectify any problems,” Mr Campbell said.
“In cases where they don’t, or where we suspect deliberate underpayments or
other serious breaches have occurred, we may launch a full audit which could
lead to court proceedings.”
The maximum penalty for a breach of workplace law is $33,000.
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Fair Work Infoline: 13 13 94
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Mr Campbell says the campaign aims to ensure more country employers
understand their obligations to their employees and to raise awareness of the Fair
Work Ombudsman’s role.
“In regional areas, workers are often reluctant to complain about their terms and
conditions of employment for fear they may put their job at risk,” he said.
“Similarly, they worry that if they make a complaint, it could impact on their
personal life, particularly in small communities.
“It is important regional workers along with their city counterparts understand
there is an Agency they can turn to if they have workplace concerns. Complaints
can be made confidentially and anonymously.”
Mr Campbell says the Fair Work Ombudsman has a range of user-friendly
resources on their website that can assist employers comply with workplace laws
and operate their workplace at best practice.
record-keeping templates, a self-audit checklist, template letters and fact sheets
on dozens of topics including leave, industrial action, public holidays, enterprise
bargaining, gender pay equality and family-friendly workplaces,” he said.
As well as online resources, the Fair Work Ombudsman has more than 200
highly-skilled advisers available to speak with employers and workers with
questions on its Fair Work Infoline on 13 13 94 from 8am - 6pm weekdays.
The Fair Work Ombudsman also has Best Practice Guides which have been
developed to assist employers make better use of the provisions of the Fair Work
Act and better understand other aspects of workplace laws.
Mr Campbell says the guides cover work and family, consultation and co-
operation, individual flexibility arrangements, employing young workers, gender
pay equity, small business, workplace privacy, managing underperformance,
effective dispute resolution and improving workplace productivity.
The Fair Work Ombudsman promotes harmonious, productive and co-operative
workplaces. It also monitors compliance and investigates breaches of national
workplace laws.
Media inquiries:
Craig Bildstien, Director Media & Stakeholder Relations, 0419 818 484.
craig.bildstien@fwo.gov.au
Ryan Pedler, (03) 9954 2561, 0434 365 924. ryan.pedler@fwo.gov.au
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