In a bid to raise awareness of record-keeping obligations, the Fair Work Ombudsman has announced inspectors are planning to visit 350 businesses throughout New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland, Tasmania and the ACT, including several food businesses.

The face-to-face visits are aimed at educating employers about their responsibilities and how the Fair Work Ombudsman can assist them to comply with workplace laws.

Inadequate records hamper the ability of Fair Work inspectors to determine if employees are being paid correctly if a dispute arises over wages. In the past, the agency has taken legal action against some employers who did not keep proper records and who were suspected of underpaying their staff.

Fair Work inspectors will ask employers selected for auditing to discuss their record-keeping and payslip practices and, where non-compliance is identified, will receive assistance to achieve compliance.

Centres earmarked for site visits include: NSW: Bathurst and Lithgow and the Blue Mountains region including Blackheath, Katoomba, Leura and Wentworth Falls; ACT: Canberra; Victoria: Port Fairy, Portland and Warrnambool; Queensland: Sunshine Coast including Caloundra, Maroochydore, Mooloolaba and Noosa and the Wide Bay region including Hervey Bay and Maryborough; Tasmania: Burnie, Devonport and Ulverstone.

“Small businesses often don’t have the benefit of in-house human resources and payroll staff, so we place a high priority on assisting them,” Fair Work Ombudsman Natalie James said.

Employers can access information, including fact sheets and templates, at www.fairwork.gov.au or call the Fair Work Infoline on 13 13 94.