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There have been many high profile cases of underpayment of wages recently. A 2019 KPMG report put the annual figure for wage theft at more than $1.35 billion and estimated as much as 13 per cent of the total workforce has been affected – more than a million people. The complexity of award arrangements and the general lack of understanding of employment laws by employers are the key drivers of underpayment claims.

The impact of COVID-19 on various industries has also resulted in many businesses facing significant financial and operational challenges. Many employers have had to make tough decisions about reductions in staffing requirements and resources. When making decisions about major workplace change and effecting redundancies, it can be easy for employers to skip essential procedural requirements, exposing them to unnecessary legal risk.

In this webinar, Cooper Grace Ward senior associates Sandra Barry and Gemma Sharp will discuss the following:

Wage theft

• understanding how wage theft can arise
• best practice strategies to consider if a suspected breach has occurred
• tips for conducting an effective wage theft audit
• the Fair Work Ombudsman's enforcement mechanisms
• tips to minimise exposure to wage theft litigation
• reviewing operations and implementing change to ensure compliance
• recent and future reforms – what will they mean for employers?

Redundancy tips and traps

• redundancy laws and an employer's consultation obligations and redeployment obligations
• genuine redundancy exemption under section 389 of the Fair Work Act 2009 (Cth)
• tips and traps following the most recent JobKeeper legislation amendments
• how to safeguard your business from claims of unfair dismissal following a redundancy.

The webinar will be recorded, so, if you are unable to attend at the advertised time, we will send you the recording for future viewing.

We hope you are able to join us.