Hire and Rental News - February 2018

21 HIRE AND RENTAL NEWS • FEBRUARY 2018 INDUSTRY in FOCUS “Wages and conditions are the number one complaint leading to litigation involving the Fair Work Ombudsman, accounting for 75% of cases, according to the Fair Work Ombudsman’s 2016–17 Ombudsman Annual Report,” Ben said. “Of these, 73% also involved problems with pay slips or record-keeping. It’s never been easier to tip-off the Fair Work Ombudsman about your business, so it’s more important than ever to ensure you’re 100% across your obligations when it comes to compliance,” Ben said. Ben said the main Fair Work Ombudsman risk hot spots include: • Workplace disputes are on the rise, with the Fair Work Ombudsman reporting a 42% increase in complaints in the 2016/17 financial year; • The Ombudsman resolved nearly Payroll mistakes you may not know you’re making Payroll mistakes are easy to make, even for diligent employers and with the maximum penalty for breaching obligations now $63,000 per breach, even the smallest oversight could end up costing dearly, Ben Foley, National Sales Manager, Workplace Assured, delivered and endorsed by the State Chambers of Australia said. 27,000 requests for help involving a workplace dispute during the 12-month period; • Wages were the number one issue raised by complainants, followed by entitlements and issues related to termination; • Accommodation and foodservice businesses were most likely to be involved in a dispute (11%), followed by professional, scientific and technical services (10%), retail (10%), and health care and social assistance (10%); • Increased focus on migrant workers’ rights has resulted in a 38% increase in disputes involving migrant workers. Nearly one in five (18%) of all workplace disputes involve someone on a visa; • The Ombudsman’s Anonymous Report tool received 10,535 anonymous reports in 2016–17. Half of these reports alleged issues of non- compliance in the hospitality (36%) and retail (14%) industries. Workplace Assured, the NSW Business Chamber workplace relations program helps minimise exposure to employment relations claims by providing 24/7 advice, a compliance review by an employment relations lawyer, legally compliant contracts and policies and zero excess insurance (Employment Practices Liability) should a claim arise, Ben said. “Managing your employment relations obligations doesn’t have to be hard. Take Workplace Assured’s free health check (www.workplaceassured.com.au/ riskprofiler.aspx)." Visit: www.nswbusinesschamber.com.au