1000 companies to be audited by Fair Work Ombudsman!
In light of the new Workplace Basics Campaign, which is set out to ensure that employers are meeting their basic statutory workplace requirements, the Fair Work Ombudsman has begun auditing 1000 businesses at random across Australia.
“One area of focus will be the fast food, restaurant and café sectors in addition to others such as retail, security and manufacturing. Businesses within service networks and part of labour supply chains will also be examined.” – Fair Work Ombudsman
If it is found that these businesses are not paying the correct wages and overtime rates or are failing to meet the record keeping and pay-slip legal requirements, then the Fair Work Ombudsman will use its enforcement powers.
“Inspectors will also be checking the time and wage records of randomly selected businesses across a wide range of industries, with a focus given to sectors where large numbers of vulnerable workers, such as casuals, migrants and students, are employed.” – Fair Work Ombudsman
On top of this, the Fair Work Ombudsman are actively promoting workers and businesses to take advantage of a new tip-off service, making it extremely easy to be ‘dobbed in’ to the employment watchdog for any unfair treatment of staff.
This online tip-off service allows anyone to confidentially alert the employment authorities of any non-compliance issues by completing an anonymous form and it is reported to have already received 500 tip-offs, mainly regarding wage issues.
Although the Fair Work Ombudsman has stated it will not be storming into businesses from one anonymous tip-off, they will be monitoring patterns and following up highlighted concerns.
So the main question business owners should currently be asking themselves is, ‘Is my business compliant?’ If the answer isn’t a confident YES, then it’s definitely the time to make this area of business a priority and seek the assistance of a HR expert, such as Human Resource Services, if necessary.
Get in touch with us today on (07) 5530 1571 if you need additional HR support to get your business in shape and audit ready.
