What to do when the Fair Work Ombudsman calls
GPNN has previously advised that the Fair Work Ombudsman (FWO) is targeting medical practices as part of a national FWO compliance campaign.
According to the FWO, inspectors will check up to 600 employers to ensure their businesses are paying the correct minimum hourly rates, penalty rates, allowances and loadings and providing appropriate meal breaks. Compliance with record-keeping and pay-slip obligations will also be monitored.
For medical practices, the FWO will focus on employees covered by the Health Professionals and Support Services Award such as medical receptionists.
The FWO has advised that, for the first time, FWO inspectors may make an initial contact with employers via phone to ascertain the state of an employer's record keeping. This is a different approach and is intended to inform a more formal request for information that is sent through subsequently. If the FWO requests data from a practice, that request will be put in writing.
AMA members who are unsure of their obligations to employees under the above award or about record keeping requirements can get help and advice through their local state/territory AMA, with the relevant contact details available from our website at https://ama.com.au/contact-ama.
State/territory AMAs are also available to assist and support those members who are targeted as part of the audit process, with members advised to contact their local AMA as soon as they are approached by the FWO.
