Fair Work Infoline: 13 13 94
Media Release
7 Nov 2009
Pay protector targets Hamilton employers for
random audits
The national pay protector has signalled plans to step up scrutiny of employers at Hamilton.
The workplace watchdog has put local businesses on notice that
they will be subject to
random audits.
The Fair Work Ombudsman has revealed it will send a team of 10 inspectors to Hamilton for
two days.
They are expected to make surprise visits to more than 100 local businesses.
Employers will be asked to open their books to inspectors so they can check if staff are being
paid correctly.
Fair Work Ombudsman Executive Director Michael Campbell says the visit – on November 10
and 11 – will target businesses from a variety of industries.
Mr Campbell
says
the face-to-face visits
aim to ensure Hamilton
employers are complying
with workplace laws and workers are receiving their full entitlements.
“Our inspectors will check time-and-wages sheets, payslips and other employment records,”
he said.
Mr Campbell
says the
Agency has a culture of “going the extra mile” to help resolve
workplace issues.
“We are very serious about our job of building knowledge and fairer workplaces and
campaigns such as this one in Hamilton
help us to ensure the community understands its
rights and obligations,” he said.
“Where we find records are not up to scratch or identify other non-compliance issues, we will
provide information and assistance to employers and ask that they voluntarily rectify any
problems.
“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.
Mr Campbell
hopes the Hamilton
targeted campaign will raise local 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.
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Fair Work Infoline: 13 13 94
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“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 are aware there is an Agency they can turn to if they have
workplace concerns. Complaints can be made confidentially and anonymously.”
Similarly, Mr Campbell
says it is important for the
Agency to help educate and inform
employers about their legal obligations to their workforce.
Payslip and record-keeping templates and other tools are available by visiting
“Employers need to be aware that under Commonwealth workplace laws they must keep
accurate time, wages, annual leave and other employment records and issue sufficiently
detailed payslips,” Mr Campbell said.
Eleven Best Practice Guides have been developed by the Fair Work Ombudsman to assist
employers make better use of the provisions of the Fair Work Act and better understand other
aspects of workplace laws.
The new guides are on the website and 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 in bargaining.
The Fair Work Ombudsman promotes harmonious, productive and co-operative workplaces.
Employers or employees seeking assistance can contact the Fair Work Infoline on 13 13 94.
Media inquiries:
Craig Bildstien, Director, Media & Stakeholder Relations; 0419 818484 or
craig.bildstien@fwo.gov.au
Ryan Pedler, 0434 365 924 or ryan.pedler@fwo.gov.au
NEWS 
