Tamworth and Armidale the focus of new campaign

12 November 2013

Inspectors from the Fair Work Ombudsman will visit up to 100 businesses in Tamworth and Armidale next week as part of a new education and compliance campaign.

Fair Work Inspectors will check employers are keeping accurate records and issuing employees with pay slips and have been complying with the requirement to provide all new employees with a copy of the Fair Work Information Statement.

Inspectors will also check that employers are providing any casual employees with their minimum shift hours, which are typically between two and three hours per shift under most modern awards and agreements.

Businesses included in the campaign will be selected at random from a range of industries.

Fair Work Ombudsman Natalie James said Tamworth and Armidale were selected for a campaign because the towns had been a persistent source of complaints from workers.

"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," Ms James said.

"In cases where Inspectors identify non-compliance issues, their preference will be to assist employers to voluntarily rectify issues and put processes in place to ensure future compliance.

"A key role of the Fair Work Ombudsman is to work with employers and educate them about how they can meet their obligations, which is what we’ll be doing throughout this campaign."

Ms James said protecting the entitlements of young workers was also a focus of the campaign.

"Many of the complaints we receive from Tamworth and Armidale come from young workers, who are often not fully aware of their rights and entitlements and can be reluctant to complain," Ms James said.

"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."

As part of the campaign, a Fair Work Inspector will deliver a free presentation on workplace laws for employers in conjunction with the Armidale Business Chamber on Monday, 18 November, at the Armidale Golf Club, on Golf Links Road, West Armidale, starting at 5.30 pm.

Employers wanting to attend need to register their place with the Armidale Business Chamber by calling (02) 6771 1177, or visiting www.armidalechamber.com.au/event.php?eid=111 .

Online resources available for employers at www.fairwork.gov.au include record-keeping and pay slip templates and copies of the Fair Work Information Statement are available for download.

Employers and workers seeking advice or assistance should visit the website or contact the Fair Work Infoline on 13 13 94. A free interpreter is available on 13 14 50.

Media inquiries:

Tom McPherson, Media & Stakeholder Relations
0439 835 855
tom.mcpherson@fwo.gov.au

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