The Fair Work Ombudsman continues to grow its national team of Fair Work Inspectors with over 20 new jobs currently advertised across Australia.
The recruitment coincides with a report from the Fair Work Ombudsman that shows its new Anonymous Report function had received its 10,000th tip-off.
Online ads on websites such as www.adzuna.com.au reveal that the Fair Work Ombudsman is recruiting for new Fair Work Inspectors in Queensland (eg. Toowoomba, Surfers Paradise, Brisbane, Cairns and Rockhampton), New South Wales (eg. Coffs Harbour, Wagga Wagga, Orange, Newcastle and Sydney), Western Australia (Perth and Bunbury), Victoria (eg. Bendigo), South Australia (eg. Adelaide and Mount Gambier), Tasmania (eg. Battery Point) and Northern Territory (eg. Darwin). The Ombudsman is also recruiting for a Team Leader in Rockhampton and Assistant Directors in Cairns, Brisbane, Surfers Paradise and Toowoomba.
Fair Work Inspectors have the power to enter a workplace at any time to inspect records and ensure compliance. They can issue on the spot infringement notices or recommend taking matters to court where employers can face court orders, including:
- • penalties of up to $54,000 per contravention for a body corporate
- • penalties of up to $10,800 per contravention for an individual
- • orders to pay an employee what they’re owed (plus interest)
- • orders granting an injunction or interim injunction
- • orders awarding an employee compensation for loss suffered
- • orders to reinstate an employee, which may mean the employee must be given their job back
- • orders to correct any discrimination.
Key Advisors, such as HR managers, payroll officers, accountants and bookkeepers, also risk personal prosecution for accessorial liability if their employer breaches the Fair Work Act. If you fail to correctly explain the rules to your employer, make it clear when they are in danger of breaking them or become involved in breaches of the law yourself you risk being held personally liable.
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