9 September 2015

The Fair Work Ombudsman will audit up to 250 businesses in Melbourne’s Dandenong region as part of a new campaign.

Fair Work inspectors will check that employers are paying the correct minimum hourly rates, penalty rates, allowances, loadings and providing appropriate meal breaks.

Compliance with record-keeping and pay-slip obligations will also being monitored.

The three-month campaign will focus on businesses located in and around Dandenong, Dandenong South and Springvale.

Employers from a range of sectors will be included, such as road freight transport, building and industrial cleaning, carpentry, takeaway food, cafes and restaurants.

All businesses will be randomly selected.

Key local employer groups have been enlisted to assist the Agency to promote the campaign.

Fair Work Ombudsman Natalie James says the Dandenong region is home to thousands of businesses and is a persistent source of requests for assistance from workers.

Ms James says one of the aims of the campaign is to ensure employers are aware of their workplace responsibilities and how the Agency can assist them to access, understand and apply information to build a culture of compliance.

“It’s important we check that workers are being paid correctly, but we also want to be pro-active about ensuring employers understand their obligations,” she said.

“Inspectors will make face-to-face visits to dozens of businesses during the campaign so they can offer employers tailored assistance to rectify any non-compliance issues and put processes in place to ensure they get it right in the future.”

Inspectors will inform employers about the range of free tools and resources available to them on the Fair Work Ombudsman’s website at www.fairwork.gov.au.

Online tools include calculators to determine the correct wages for employees, templates for time-and-wages records, an Online learning centre and My Account, which enables employers and employees to save information on pay and conditions for their workplace.

Employers and employees seeking assistance can visit the website or call the Fair Work Infoline on 13 13 94. An interpreter service is also available by calling 13 14 50.

Small businesses calling the Infoline can opt to receive priority service to assist with their inquiries.

Follow Fair Work Ombudsman Natalie James on Twitter @NatJamesFWO , the Fair Work Ombudsman @fairwork_gov_au or find us on Facebook www.facebook.com/fairwork.gov.au .

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Media inquiries:

Lara O'Toole, Media Adviser
Mobile: 0439 835 855
lara.o'toole@fwo.gov.au