30 June 2016

The Fair Work Ombudsman today released the findings of a recent campaign in Victoria’s Loddon-Elmore-Campaspe region.

Spot checks of 251 businesses across the region found:

• 173 (69 per cent) were paying their employees correctly,
• 149 (59 per cent) were compliant with their record-keeping and pay-slip obligations,
• 113 (45 per cent) were compliant with all their responsibilities.

Sixty three employers were asked to back-pay a total of $80,116 to 183 of their employees who had been short-changed.

Amounts recovered from individual businesses ranged from $100 to more than $9000.

Fair Work inspectors issued three businesses with Letters of Caution putting them on notice that future breaches of workplace laws could result in enforcement action.

Three employers also received on-the-spot fines of up to $1700 for breaches of their record-keeping or pay-slip obligations.

The campaign targeted businesses across a range of industry sectors, including dairying.

Employers were randomly audited in towns across the region, including Kyabram, Rochester, Stanhope, Tongala, Rushworth, Leitchville, Boort, Wedderburn, Bridgewater, Pyramid Hill and Inglewood.

Businesses found to be non-complaint will be re-audited as part of the Fair Work Ombudsman’s ongoing National Compliance Monitoring Campaign.

Fair Work Ombudsman Natalie James says the campaign aimed to boost employer awareness of workplace responsibilities and help them access, understand and apply information to build a strong compliance culture.

She says that between 2011 and 2014, requests for assistance from employees in the Loddon-Elmore area increased by 60 per cent and from the Campaspe region by 48 per cent.

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

Employers and employees seeking assistance can also contact the Fair Work Infoline on 13 13 94.

A free interpreter service is available by calling 13 14 50.

Small businesses can opt to be put through to a priority service for assistance.

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 .

Sign up to receive the Fair Work Ombudsman’s media releases direct to your email inbox at www.fairwork.gov.au/mediareleases.

Download

• Victoria Loddon/Elmore and Campaspe Regional Campaign Report 

Media inquiries:

Annie Lawson, Media Adviser
Mobile: 0466 522 004
annie.lawson@fwo.gov.au