Report shows spike in complaints to Fair Work Ombudsman

Yesterday's publication of the Fair Work Ombudsman's annual report shows a dramatic spike in the number of complaints - 26,366 in total, up from 21,890 the previous year. 

The report shows most complaints were settled at the mediation stage, and the Ombudsman recovered close to $40 million for 18,500 underpaid workers, mostly through voluntary compliance. The Ombudsman recovered around $1.4 million in fines for itself - a decrease from last year's figure. 

Ombudsman Nicholas Wilson said that FWO was working to direct time towards industries and regions with greater compliance issues or more vulnerable employees. The introduction of an education phase before every wage audit campaign was aimed at promoting a culture of voluntary compliance, and the Ombudsman made over 12,000 'educational visits' to Australian workplaces over the past 12 months. This appears to have been successful, with the number of complaints finalised through Assisted Voluntary Resolution rising 19%. 

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