If you think your business is too small, too niche, or too far removed to be on the Fair Work Ombudsman’s radar, think again.
In a recent wave of surprise inspections, Fair Work Inspectors visited over 50 businesses across six major cities across Australia. Industries targeted included butchers, bakeries, car washes, florists, mobile repair stores, hair salons, and discount shops, which are sectors that often employ young, migrant, or casual workers.
The message is clear: no business is too small, too central, or too regional to be checked. The first thing that inspectors asked for were employee records and payslips.
Good record keeping isn’t just about compliance, it’s about clarity, protection, and peace of mind. Keeping accurate records:
- Protects you in the event of a dispute or inspection
- Gives your employees transparency and trust
- Helps you track entitlements, hours, and pay correctly
- Is your best defence against a fine
Failing to keep proper records doesn’t just breach the Fair Work Act, it can trigger further investigation. If you can’t produce accurate records when requested, inspectors may assume underpayments or broader non-compliance, even if you’re paying staff correctly. This can result in infringement notices, formal cautions, or legal action.
What You’re Legally Required to Keep
Under the Fair Work Act, employers must maintain clear, up-to-date records of:
- Hours worked
- Wages paid
- Leave balances
- Superannuation contributions
- Pay slips (issued within one working day of payday)
- Employment classification (under the correct Award)
- Employment contracts
- Fair Work Information Statements (for all new employees)
- Casual Employee Information Statements (for casual staff)
These records must be kept for at least seven years, even for short-term or seasonal staff.
The cost of getting it wrong can far exceed the effort it takes to get it right. At ProcessWorx, we help businesses set up compliant, cloud-based systems that manage:
- Employment contracts and documentation
- Timesheets and payroll records
- Issuing payslips and Fair Work Statements
- Record audits to check you’re on track
We’ve work with businesses to streamline their admin, stay compliant, and avoid penalties. If you would like to learn how ProcessWorx can help with Human Resources or Work Health & Safety, please contact us on 08 9316 9896, enquiries@processworx.com.au. Also watch an Introduction to ProcessWorx.
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