Random auditing of up to 300 retail shops across three states is underway as part of the latest Fair Work Ombudsman campaign.
Employers in Western Australia, South Australia and the Northern Territory will be asked to open their books to allow Fair Work inspectors to check they are paying staff their minimum entitlements.
These include minimum hourly rates, penalty rates and overtime. Compliance with record-keeping and payslip obligations will also be monitored.
Inspectors will focus on retailers operating in shopping centres and on retail strips in metropolitan and regional areas, including:
WA: Perth, Albany, Broome, Bunbury and Geraldton.
SA: Adelaide, Mount Gambier, Port Augusta, Port Pirie and Whyalla.
NT: Darwin and Alice Springs.
The campaign will focus on clothing and merchandise retailers, as well as some food retailers, such as supermarkets.
Butchers, fishmongers and fruit and vegetable shops will be excluded, as they were recently the subject of a specialist food retailers’ campaign in South Australia.
Media Release from Fair Work Ombudsman 16 January 2014
