The ombudsman will visit Gloucester as part of a campaign to improve employers’ awareness of workplace laws on the Mid North Coast.

Fair Work inspectors will check the books of more than 300 businesses in Gloucester, Taree and Port Macquarie over the next two weeks.

Gloucester Chamber of Commerce president Yvonne Reynolds spent last week walking Church St to inform businesses of the ombudsman’s visit.

The Chamber will also host an information seminar at the bowling club from 6pm tonight with all local businesses encouraged to attend.

“They’ve told us that transport and accommodation, cafés and restaurants and hairdressing and beauty businesses have been earmarked for particular scrutiny,” Mrs Reynolds said.

The Mid North Coast has come under extra scrutiny because it has been a persistent source of complaints in recent years, the ombudsman said.

Fair Work inspectors will check that employers are paying the correct minimum hourly rates, penalty and overtime rates and allowances, loadings and providing meal breaks.

Compliance with record-keeping and pay slip obligations will also be monitored.

Inspectors will work with employers to rectify issues and put processes in place to ensure they get it right in the future.

But businesses with serious or repeat contraventions or where employers refused to co-operate could face sanctions, the ombudsman said.

“A key part of the Fair Work Ombudsman’s role is to educate and help businesses, which is what we’ll be doing throughout this campaign,” ombudsman Natalie James said.

“We hope this pro-active campaign will help improve compliance and drive behavioural change.”

Tonight’s information seminar will focus on the tools and resources available to employers on the Fair Work Ombudsman website. 

These include My Account which enables people to save tailored information such as pay rates and conditions of employment specific to their circumstances, an online learning centre, downloadable templates and other online tools.

Businesses are urged to register their interest by contacting Yvonne Reynolds on 0409 607 934 or at gloucesterchamber@hotmail.com