Wage Compliance for Businesses

Wage compliance for businesses that discover a problem includes an option worth understanding before it is needed.

An employer who tells the regulator they have engaged in conduct that may amount to the criminal underpayment offence can apply for a cooperation agreement. It is a written agreement, and while it is in force the conduct covered by it cannot be referred for possible criminal prosecution.

The limits are important. It does not affect the regulator’s other powers, so compliance notices, enforceable undertakings and litigation remain available. Each agreement is with one party only. And giving false or misleading information carries its own consequences.

This is a decision to take legal advice on before making any disclosure, not one to work out from a web page.

The Fair Work Ombudsman publishes the application process. This is general information rather than legal advice, and obligations vary by state and territory.

See Sentrient’s wage theft webinar and GRC system.