The country’s Fair Work Ombudsman, Natalie James, recently warned employers that her office will not only investigate their firms for underpaying their employees, but also individuals.
“This means that managers or directors (as accessories) and those working in Human Resources, accountants and supply chain companies, may be asked to personally cough up back pay for workers that they know, or should have known, have been underpaid,” the story notes.
One HR manager got into trouble after falsifying employment records and improperly taking deductions from cleaning workers’ salaries. That manager may be responsible for $10,800 in fines per breach. HR managers who spot or suspect wrongdoing and who don’t say anything also may be held liable.