Fair Work Ombudsman inspectors will be in the mid-west of Western Australia next week to raise awareness of workplace laws
May 29, 2013
Inspectors from the Fair Work Ombudsman (FWO) will be in the mid-west of Western Australia next week to raise awareness among employers of workplace rights and responsibilities.
Basing themselves at Geraldton, the inspectors will be available on June 5 between 8.30am and 4.30pm at the Mid West Chamber of Commerce and Industry to answer questions about workplace relations law.
Anyone can drop in during these hours or make an appointment to see an inspector by calling (08) 9792 7900.
“A key part of the Fair Work Ombudsman’s role is to help build knowledge and create fair workplaces,” senior inspector Tony Harris says.
“Opportunities to speak directly to employers and workers during visits like this are an important way to achieve that.”
The visit comes on the heels of an FWO investigation in Geraldton, which resulted in underpaid workers at two businesses receiving more than $20,000 in back-pay.
Inspectors recovered $14,600 for 28 employees, including some young workers, at a transport industry business. They were underpaid wages and overtime rates in 2011-2012.
In a separate case, inspectors recovered $6,100 for an administration officer at a retail store who had been underpaid weekend and late-night penalty rates over a five-year period.
The employers reimbursed all money owed without the need for further action.
“We have a flexible, fair approach and our preference is always to work with employers to fix any errors we find and get things right in the future,” Harris says.
