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ARTICLE · 09 AUGUST 2018

The Fair Work Ombudsman: Expanded statutory powers, blitzes and higher penalties

Holding Redlich
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Employers should develop, implement and review appropriate governance structures to ensure compliance with the FW Act.

AustraliaEmployment and HR
Stephen Trew
Stephen Trew
Louise Rumble
Louise Rumble
Michael Hope
Michael Hope
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The Fair Work Ombudsman (FWO)'s proactive approach in its role of monitoring the 2.24 million active businesses in Australia has caught out a myriad of employers whose employment practices contravene the Fair Work Act 2009 (Cth) (FW Act). Expanded statutory powers of Fair Work Inspectors are being exercised to investigate, unannounced, employment practices of a wide-ranging number of workplaces and industries. In this context, and with increased scope for liability under the FW Act, now more than ever it is critical that those potentially within the FWO's sights review and assess governance structures to ensure they adequately address, and ensure compliance with, obligations arising under the FW Act.

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