Dear Reader,
It may seem obvious to you, but it’s a question well worth asking – are you paying your employees correctly?
If you’re not, you could be held liable. Take this recent case for example…
Earlier this month, a Queensland butcher was found guilty of underpaying one of his apprentices over a period of 14 months and was fined $62,000.
(Fair Work Ombudsman v Bundy Market Meats Pty Ltd & Anor (8 October 2009))
Don’t let this happen to you!
You must not pay your employees less than the statutory minimum wage or the minimum amount they are entitled under any relevant award or enterprise agreement, even if the employee has agreed to be paid less.
You also cannot pay an employee less than the amount that is stated in their contract of employment (even if this amount is more than the minimum they are entitled to under any relevant award or enterprise agreement).
If you pay an employee less than they are entitled to, you could be held liable!
And remember, this doesn’t just apply to regular wages.
You must also ensure that you pay out any accrued leave, leave loading, superannuation and notice payments that an employee is entitled to when they leave your employment.
The butcher in the case I mentioned earlier failed to do this and he copped a hefty fine because of it!
But don’t worry – You can find out everything you need to know about paying your employees correctly in the Minimum Conditions of Employment – Wages chapter of your Employment Law Practical Handbook.
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Until next time…
Claire
Tags: employees, Employment Law Practical Handbook, enterprise agreement, Fair Work Ombudsman, liable, Minimum Conditions of Employment - Wages, Minimum Wage, relevant award, superannuation
