The Federal government, the Fair Work Commission and the Fair Work Ombudsman have recently all taken decisive action to prevent employers from underpaying their workers and implementing tough penalties for contraventions.

Following the government’s announcement last year (in response to the Migrant Workers’ Taskforce Report) that it would introduce tough new laws to protect all workers, including criminal sanctions and increased penalties for employers, Industrial Relations Minister, Christian Porter, this week announced that the proposed new laws will also introduce disqualification orders on directors who are in breach of their obligations.

Both Coles and Wesfarmers have hit the headlines this week in relation to underpayment of their employees.  The Fair Work Ombudsman has previously stated it would investigate Coles in relation to underpayment of its salaried employees, and has this week announced that Wesfarmers is under investigation regarding underpayments by its subsidiary, Target.

In light of the new annualised salary provision that take effect on 1 March 2020

(How do the new annualised salary provisions affect your business?)  and the increasing number of underpayment claims and investigations coming through the Fair Work Commission and the Fair Work Ombudsman, now is the time to act and to ensure your business is compliant.

How we can help

For a fixed fee we can advise you on:

• The minimum amount you need to be paying your employees to be compliant under the applicable award(s)
• A BOOT analysis showing whether or not you are meeting your employment obligations

Please contact Andrew Bland  or call 02 9412 3077 if you would like us to provide a fixed fee quote or to discuss how we can assist you and your business.