Fair Work Ombudsman in Geraldton next week

Inspectors from the Fair Work Ombudsman will visit Geraldton next week to help employers and workers understand their workplace rights and responsibilities.

Fair Work Inspectors will be available to answer questions about pay and other aspects of workplace relations law on Wednesday, 5 June between 8.30 am and 4.30 pm at the Mid West Chamber of Commerce & Industry, 162 Marine Terrace, Geraldton.

Anyone can drop in during these hours or make an appointment to see a Fair Work Inspector by calling (08) 9792 7900.

Senior Fair Work Inspector, Tony Harris, said the visit is intended to raise awareness in Geraldton amongst employers and employees of national workplace laws, including the National Employment Standards and modern awards.

“A key part of the Fair Work Ombudsman’s role is to help build knowledge and create fair workplaces,” Mr Harris said.

“Opportunities to speak directly to employers and workers during visits like this are an important way to achieve that.”

The visit follows recent intervention by the Fair Work Ombudsman in two Geraldton workplaces, which resulted in underpaid workers receiving more than $20,000 in back-pay.

Fair Work Inspectors recovered $14,600 for 28 employees, including some young workers, at a transport industry business. They’d been 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. 

In both cases, Fair Work Inspectors discussed the underpayments with the employers and they 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,” Mr Harris said. 

The Fair Work Ombudsman’s website - www.fairwork.gov.au - has a number of tools and resources, including PayCheck Plus and an Award Finder, to assist employers to calculate the correct pay for their employees and for workers to check what they’re entitled to.

An ‘Industries’ section on the website provides extra, specialised information for employers and employees in a range of industries, including retail, road transport and clerical.

Employers and employees seeking further information can also call the Fair Work Infoline on 13 13 94. A free interpreter service is available by calling 13 14 50.

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