Invitation to Accountants – Free Practical Solutions to Fair Work Act offer
March 9th, 2010
Many accountants in our network have advised us that their clients have given feedback that they are very unaware and uncertain of what to do regarding the Fair Work Act 2009, including the requirements under the National Employment Standards and the Modern Awards.
Our business has successfully delivered the message of practical solutions to this growing industrial relations issue. Recent seminars held on the Sunshine Coast have been a great success, and we plan to expand the network through accountants in Brisbane and on the Gold Coast, for the benefit of your clients.
Seminar outline
- Able to be held at our Kangaroo Point office or at your premises
- Minimum of 10 guests required to be confirmed for seminar
- Professional speaker – handouts and slide show
- Suggest morning tea meeting, approx 1.5 hours
- Plenty of time for questions
- We charge you no fees for this service. Morning tea/drinks for guests to be provided by you.
If you would like further information, or would like to book a seminar for your accountancy firm and your clients, please contact Anita Moss on (07) 3891 7788, or 0401 690 150.
$35,000 back-pay for three Darwin workers
March 8th, 2010
A Darwin business has reimbursed a mechanic a total of $15,000 after a recent investigation by the Fair Work Ombudsman found he was underpaid.
The mechanic lodged a complaint with the Fair Work Ombudsman when he was not paid the correct penalty rates for overtime.
Fair Work inspectors raised the issue with the man’s employer, who voluntarily reimbursed the worker $15,160.
In a separate case, two caravan park workers in Darwin have also been back-paid a total $20,000 after their employer was not paying weekend or penalty rates.
The employer was paying the two workers a flat rate for all hours worked.
After Fair Work inspectors contacted the business, the workers were promptly back-paid $14,400 and $5600 respectively.
Fair Work Ombudsman Executive Director Michael Campbell says that because the employers fully co-operated with inspectors and voluntarily rectified the underpayments, no further action will be taken.
“We have a flexible, fair approach and our preference is always to work with employers to educate them and help them voluntarily rectify any non-compliance issues we identify,” he said.
“However, employers need to be aware that they can face fines of up $33,000 per breach if we do take matters to court.”
The Fair Work Ombudsman can help workers and employers to understand their rights and obligations under new National Employment Standards and Modern Awards, which took effect on January 1, 2010.
The Agency has a range of user-friendly resources to assist employers and workers comply with workplace laws and operate their business according to best practice.
Employers or employees seeking assistance should contact the Fair Work Infoline on 13 13 94 or visit www.fairwork.gov.au where payslip and record-keeping templates and other tools are available. For translations call 13 14 50.
The Fair Work Ombudsman promotes harmonious, productive and co-operative workplaces. It also monitors compliance with and investigates breaches of national workplace laws.
Court hands down $50,000 penalty for underpaying Deniliquin worker
March 5th, 2010
The former operators of the Deniliquin Golf Club Pro Shop have been fined $50,000 for underpaying an employee.
Roach Golf Enterprises Pty Ltd, which formerly operated the shop, has been fined $16,000 and the company’s sole director, Bryan James Roach, of Forster, a further $34,000.
The penalties were imposed in the NSW Chief Industrial Magistrate’s Court in Sydney this week following a prosecution by the Fair Work Ombudsman.
The Court had previously instructed the company to back-pay the worker $30,185 plus interest.
Magistrate Patricia O’Shane heard that a casual retail assistant at the Deniliquin shop was underpaid between 2006 and 2008.
The worker, in his 40s, was paid a flat rate of $13 for all hours worked, including some public holidays on which he was entitled to receive up to $45 per hour.
This resulted in underpayment of his minimum hourly rate, weekend and public holiday penalty rates, overtime and annual leave entitlements.
Inspectors from the Fair Work Ombudsman’s Wagga office discovered the underpayments.
Fair Work Ombudsman NSW Director Mark Davidson says underpaying workers’ minimum entitlements is a serious matter.
“Workers have the right to receive the minimum rates that apply to their positions and we will not hesitate to pursue employers who fail to comply with laws protecting that right,” Mr Davidson said.
The Fair Work Ombudsman promotes harmonious, productive and co-operative workplaces. It also monitors compliance and investigates breaches of national workplace laws.
Employers or employees seeking assistance should contact the Fair Work Infoline on 13 13 94 or visit www.fairwork.gov.au. For translations call 13 14 50.
Practical Solutions Seminar to Modern Awards & IR Laws
January 15th, 2010
The release of the Modern Awards and National Employment Standards (NES) on 1 January 2010 has raised many questions from small business owners. In particular those affected by shift work and penalty rates.
Haycroft Workplace Solutions are presenting breakfast seminars to assist business owners to understand the compliance requirements, answer your questions and provide solutions.
For more information and to register, Click here to download “Practical Solutions SEMINAR to Modern Awards & IR Laws” (PDF file, 323kb).
John Holland Aviation Services
December 18th, 2009
John Holland Aviation Services is set to continue its strong growth after taking some of the Virgin Blue heavy maintenance work from Air New Zealand’s engineering unit. Continue Reading »
Court fines hospitality group for underpaying Sydney bar staff
December 9th, 2009
The operator of a string of Sydney nightspots has been penalised for underpaying hundreds of its bar staff. Continue Reading »
NSW snowfield audits reveal high level of compliance
December 7th, 2009
Eighty-six per cent of employers randomly audited in the NSW snowfields are complying with workplace laws, the Fair Work Ombudsman has revealed. Continue Reading »
Regulator to check Hunter shuttle bus industry
December 4th, 2009
The Fair Work Ombudsman will target the shuttle bus industry in the NSW Hunter Valley to ensure workers are being paid correctly. Continue Reading »
Sydney company faces court for allegedly underpaying six workers almost $30,000
December 2nd, 2009
The Fair Work Ombudsman has launched a prosecution against a Sydney company and a director for allegedly underpaying six workers almost $30,000. Continue Reading »
Queensland clubs campaign recovers $350,000 back-pay for 2000 workers
November 30th, 2009
Almost 2000 Queenslanders working in clubs in central and northern parts of the State have been underpaid a total of $350,000 over the past two years. Continue Reading »