Fair Work Infoline: 13 13 94
Media Release
29 Oct 2009
Workplace Rights Week a highlight for national
pay protector
A program which saw workplace inspectors take a lead role visiting schools,
universities, shopping centres, businesses, industry and employer groups was a
highlight of 2008-09, says Fair Work Ombudsman Nicholas Wilson.
In his annual report, Mr Wilson says Workplace Rights Week in April this year saw
his investigators doorknock almost 1600 educational facilities and businesses.
As well, they staffed 24 shopping centre information booths servicing over 1000
people and conducted 24 separate presentations for hundreds of interested
parties.
“The objective was to directly educate workers and employers alike about their
respective workplace rights and obligations – and it was clearly a successful
initiative,” Mr Wilson says.
Mr Wilson says his Agency (previously the Workplace Ombudsman) has worked in
partnership with the community to promote fairness and ensure justice in
Australian workplaces.
“We have continued to develop community awareness and educate employees
and employers of their rights and responsibilities through diverse communications
activities,” he says.
“During the year, we have increased our level of engagement with all our key
stakeholders – industry, unions, the government, employers and employees.
“Our performance results and stakeholder feedback show that the compliance
message is getting across to the Australian community.”
Mr Wilson says the Agency’s reputation as a strong, fair, independent regulator
has prompted a number of very large companies to voluntarily come forward with
admissions about contraventions of workplace law.
He says this has resulted in the use of Enforceable Undertakings as an alternative
to litigation becoming part of the Agency’s suite of compliance tools.
Mr Wilson says his inspectors recovered $32,489,904 for 28,648 workers last
financial year – an average of $1100 each.
The annual report also shows the Agency:
Finalised 99 per cent of complaints without the need to resort to legal
action,
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Secured more than $1.6 million in Court-awarded penalties against
employers it did prosecute,
Closed 28,082 Fairness Test matters and recovered $6.1 million in
compensation for those workers,
Completed 3743 No Disadvantage Test investigations and recouped
$732,600 in compensation for those employees,
Responded to more than 107,400 telephone inquiries,
Distributed more than 48,000 information packs as part of its targeted
campaign activity,
Increased accessibility to services for non-English speakers by increasing
to 23 the number of language translations on its website, and
Recorded satisfaction ratings of 88 and 85 per cent respectively on its
provision of information to and investigation of matters on behalf of
clients.
Total returns to workers comprised:
NSW - $9.8 million for 7658 workers
Victoria - $8.7 million for 4552 workers
Queensland - $7 million for 8292 workers
Western Australia - $2.2 million for 1775 workers
South Australia - $2 million for 1015 workers
Tasmania - $1 million for 598 workers
ACT - $837,000 for 3817 workers
Northern Territory - $700,000 for 941 workers
Inspectors finalised 23,338 complaints and recorded a total of 19,567 breaches of
workplace law in 2008-09.
The Fair Work Ombudsman promotes harmonious, productive and co-operative
workplace relations. It also monitors and enforces compliance with federal
workplace law.
Employers and employees can seek assistance by contacting the Fair Work
Media inquiries:
Craig Bildstien, Director Media & Stakeholder Relations 0419 818 484 Email:
craig.bildstien@fwo.gov.au
Ryan Pedler: Mob: 0434 365 924; Email: ryan.pedler@fwo.gov.au
NEWS 
