The National Retail Association (NRA) has launched the Wage Compliance Hub in partnership with the Western Australian Government.
The Wage Right Compliance Hub provides employers with resources to assist with identifying what industrial instruments in the National or WA state system may apply to a business. It outlines how to classify employees correctly and provides practical guidance on how to avoid common pay and record-keeping errors.
Dominique Lamb, CEO of the NRA, said that one of the key causes of wage non-compliance by retailers is a lack of understanding of employment obligations.
“Since 2013 retailers have had to deal with nearly 14,000 different rates of pay depending on variables such as whether the employee is casual or permanent, their age, their classification and the times at which the work is performed,” said Lamb.
“This number easily doubles if you consider shift workers, baking production employees, apprentices and those working under the supported wage system.
“The NRA applauds the Western Australian Government for recognising the complexity of the system and engaging our considerable experience to develop this educational hub which provides clear, easy to understand information on how to be compliant.
“Many retailers do not have access to well-resourced HR departments to provide in-house advice to safeguard against unintended mistakes. The NRA is the only retail industry association to have represented retailers in all State-based wage theft inquiries and we have consistently advocated for greater education and assistance in this area.”