ADELAIDE: It could be months before the results of the Fair Work blitz on Adelaide retailers are revealed, with both street and shopping centre store owners under scrutiny.
A spokesperson for the Fair Work Ombudsman confirmed that collating the data from the 500-plus businesses reviewed across the city would take some time.
The audits were undertaken to confirm that employees were paying and treating staff fairly, according to Work Place relations laws.
Around 170 businesses in metropolitan Adelaide and around 80 in regional South Australia were to be checked last week. Fashion retailers in the targeted strips across Adelaide include
George Gross and Harry Who, Blue Illusion, Esprit, Diva and Portmans.
Initial audits were scheduled for stores on Norwood Parade, Unley Road, King William Road and Jetty Road at Glenelg.
Inspectors were also to visit employers in the major shopping hubs at Mount Gambier, Port Lincoln, Whyalla and Port Pirie.
Educational visits to more than 300 commercial premises at Lonsdale, Morphett Vale, South Plympton, Mitchell Park, Ridgehaven, Fairview Park, Rostrevor, Athelstone, Payneham and Campbelltown were also to be undertaken.
Fair Work Ombudsman executive director Michael Campbell said it was serious about ensuring employers understand their obligations in the workplace.
“Where we find records are not adequate or identify other non-compliance issues, we will provide information and assistance to employers and request they voluntarily rectify any problems,” he said. “In cases where they don’t, or where we suspect deliberate underpayments or other serious breaches have occurred, we may launch a full audit which could lead to court proceedings.”
For more information, pick up a copy of Ragtrader’s October 22 edition.