Tuesday September 8, 2009

 INSPECTORS CHECK BATHURST BOSSES

Workplace inspections of 27 commercial businesses in the Bathurst area found that 13 employers were non-compliant with industrial relations laws, Don Jones, Executive Director at the NSW Office of Industrial Relations said today.

Mr Jones said that although most bosses were found to be fair, the inspections completed in July this year uncovered 33 breaches by the 13 businesses. “The aim of the inspections is to provide employers with information and advice on pay rates, conditions of employment, leave entitlements and employment record keeping obligations,” Mr Jones said.

“The majority of businesses visited co-operated with the inspectors and welcomed the assistance that was on offer to understand their obligations under New South Wales industrial relations laws.

“Of the 13 employers that were not compliant, the majority of breaches were for failure to maintain appropriate general employment records and failure to supply sufficient information on pay slips.

“The other significant areas of non-compliance included failure to display Award conditions in the workplace and failure to supply pay slips,” Mr Jones said. “In addition, five employers were found to be in breach of an industrial Award, resulting in almost $8,460 being recovered for 18 employees.

“As a result of the campaign, all 13 employers with breaches were issued with formal cautions, however five have since demonstrated to the Office that they are now complying with the industrial laws.

“Those who had breaches would be revisited by the Office of Industrial Relations in the next 12 months to ensure they are continuing to do the right thing,” Mr Jones said. “Those who continue to ignore minimum legal standards may be prosecuted and can face fines up to $11,000 for each offence.

“These visits ensure an equitable system for all employers and workers by maintaining fair and productive workplaces in NSW,” Mr Jones said.

131 628 or visit www.industrialrelations.nsw.gov.au

Resources: ‘© State of New South Wales through the Office of Industrial Relations’