Getting your employees pay right sounds simple. But it's not. The presence of complex awards, EAs, local arrangements and the systems used for payroll make it very complex.

Given the potential for significant civil penalty exposure and now criminal exposure, it is critical for businesses to understand their obligations, be able to identify, prevent and address underpayments, and to understand how claims can be managed.

In recent years there have been extensive legislative changes to the Fair Work Act including significant increases in the civil penalties applicable to underpayment contraventions, and the introduction of criminal wage theft.

This webinar covers:

• Explain the role, powers and functions of the Fair Work Ombudsman (FWO) in handling underpayments under the Fair Work Act, including its power refer potential criminal wage theft offences to the Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions (CDPP).
• Consider the key provisions relevant to underpayments under the Fair Work Act, including the interaction between civil and criminal provisions.
• Describe the elements and implications of criminal wage theft, and the concept of due diligence which may assist in defence of wage theft.
• Outline safe harbour mechanisms from referral to the CDPP.
• Consider what an employer can do to minimise the risk of underpayments, and how to handle these claims when they do arise.

Presenters:

Daniel Murray, Principal Adviser, Workplace Relations, Australian Industry Group

Paryssa Cookesley, Senior Adviser, Workplace Relations, Australian Industry Group

Yoness Blackmore, Principal Adviser, Workplace Relations Policy, Australian Industry Group

Host:

Terry Crotty, Regional Manager, NSW, Australian Industry Group