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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