The Fair Work Ombudsman is currently writing to the operators of almost 7000 fast food businesses informing them of the services available to help them comply with workplace laws.

The letters encourage business operators to visit a section of the Fair Work website that is dedicated to the fast food sector.

It contains useful resources relating to workplace compliance, including:

• Information about the Fast Food Industry Award 2010
• A link to the PayCheck Plus tool, which calculates the correct rates of pay for employees
• Links to record-keeping and pay slip templates, best practice guides and fact sheets
• A registration link for a free educational webinar to be held on Tuesday, 19 November

The aim is to ensure fast food operators comply with their obligations under workplace laws as quickly and efficiently as possible. 

Fair Work’s focus on the fast food sector forms part of the third stage of its three year campaign that put the spotlight on various sectors of the nation’s hospitality industry.

Last year the campaign saw Fair Work educate pub, tavern and bar operators in the same manner, and earlier this year the focus was on cafes, restaurants and caterers. 

Fair Work Ombudsman, Natalie James said the government body has opted to focus on the fast food sector because it employs a large number of people and encompasses both small and medium-sized businesses.

“We are committed to providing small business operators, who are often not supported by an in-house human resources and payroll team, with the assistance they need to understand their obligations under workplace laws and comply with them as easily as possible,” she said.

“The overwhelming majority of small business operators want to do the right thing by their employees and get it right when it comes to workplace laws and we are committed to helping them do that.”

As part of the campaign Fair Work inspectors will randomly audit around 300 fast food businesses across Australia in early 2014.