5 Tips to Ensure Workplace Compliance with Employment Laws and Regulations

Did you know that of employers audited by the Fair Work Ombudsman in 2016/17 *47% of employers' workplaces were found to be non-compliant?! The most common areas of workplace non-compliance amongst employers is found to be employee payments and wage entitlements, as well as legalities surrounding employment termination.

Serious contraventions apply for non-compliance with the Fair Work Act 2009, therefore it is crucial for employers to be thorough with their internal workplace audits and ensure compliance with all applicable employment laws and regulations. To aid you in this, we have compiled 5 tips to help ensure workplace compliance.

1. Audit all workplace policies and procedures

Communicate with your staff to ensure that all employees have a comprehensive understanding of workplace policies and procedures, as well as their entitlements and legal obligations. It’s crucial to regularly audit your policies and procedures to ensure they align with the Fair Work Act and Fair Work Commission guidelines and are up to date. 

BONUS TIP: Make sure any policies and procedures are easily accessible to all staff members and easily labelled, such as on a shared drive.

2. Understand your responsibilities and obligations as an employer

As an employer, you are responsible for the health and safety of your clients/customers, contractors and employees in your workplace. For this reason, it’s imperative to have a thorough understanding of your key responsibilities and obligations, including but not limited to:

• Assessing all workplace health and safety risks, and putting measures in place to address and control them.

• Provide and maintain safe machinery, tools, equipment, materials, etc for your employees to use.

• Provide and ensure a suitable working environment is maintained (heating, cooling, ventilation, and workplace layout)

• Ensure you have Workers’ Compensation Insurance in place.

• Provide training and education for employees to understand their workplace obligations to health and safety of their own and other employees.

3. Invest in workplace safety management systems and accreditations

It may be a good idea to look into and invest in recognised workplace safety management systems, such as AS/NZS 4801, OHSAS 18001 or ISO 45001. These are general WHS safety accreditations with training that is relevant to most industries. However, there are also specific systems for some, higher risk industries.

You can use the training from these accreditations to not only reduce the chances of serious injury or fatalities in the workplace, but also to ensure workplace compliance in audits and avoid serious penalties, promote a positive workplace culture, and show your commitment to stakeholders.

4. Go further than ‘just ticking the box’ for compliance

Create a positive working environment by showing you value your employees and encouraging a positive approach to training. Workplace compliance logistics and requirements can seem tedious but ultimately are serious topics with serious consequences. Creating a space where your team is comfortable to chat about issues that arise and are open to training and development will better aid your business in the long run.

5. Seek professional guidance from a legal expert

Our best advice is always to seek professional guidance from a legal expert. Having a trusted legal team on your side, experienced in the intricacies of employment law, will help you to safeguard your business and employees.

At Optimum Legal, we can help you to conduct an audit of your workplace compliance, provide training, and assist you to develop and implement legally compliant policies and procedures.

For further guidance or legal advice, contact our team at Optimum Legal on 07 3228 8400 or info@optimumlegal.com.au

*Fair Work Ombudsman Annual Report 2016/17