Fair Work Infoline: 13 13 94
Media Release
1 Nov 2010
Fair Work inspectors to make educational visits
to Newcastle employers
The Fair Work Ombudsman will make educational visits to about 100 businesses
in the Newcastle area this month.
Fair Work inspectors will doorknock businesses to provide information packs to
employers who have entered the national workplace relations system.
Inspectors will visit about 50 businesses in Charlestown and a further 50 across
Georgetown, Waratah, Warabrook and Sandgate. Inspectors will focus on
commercial and retail precincts.
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.”
The Fair Work Ombudsman has a number of tools on its website -
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 Ombudsman’s 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, 0411 430 902. ryan.pedler@fwo.gov.au
NEWS 
