In a national campaign focused on workplace compliance Fair Work inspectors will randomly select 1500 retail outlets throughout Australia who will be asked to supply employment records for audit. 

They will include furniture, floor covering, houseware, manchester and textile, electrical and gas, computer, hardware and building supplies, garden supplies, sport and camping equipment, entertainment, toy, book, marine, clothing, footwear, watch and jewellery, department and antique stores, as well as newsagents, pharmacies and florists.  

Food retailers will not be included, as they were the focus of a National Food Services Campaign last financial year.

The Fair Work Ombudsman will write to almost 50,000 retailers across the country as part of the campaign to encourage greater compliance with workplace laws. 

The retail sector generates more complaints than any other industry _ 4200 last year, or almost 20 per cent _ and the Agency has prosecuted 39 retail employers in four years.  

Ombudsman Nicholas Wilson said the focus of the retail campaign will be to check that employers are paying workers correct minimum rates of pay, penalty rates, loadings and allowances. 

ñSome businesses think it is okay to require staff to arrive early to prepare a store for opening and stay late to clean up afterwards without paying them for that time _ but itÍs not, itÍs unlawful,î he said. 

ñWe are mindful that this is an industry which employs large numbers of young people and low-paid workers who may be vulnerable if they are not fully aware of their workplace rights.  

Retail is consistently the number one source of complaints for us and we are determined to devote considerable resources to assist the industry with its compliance obligations.  

Employers or employees seeking assistance should contact the Fair Work Infoline on 13 13 94 or visit www.fairwork.gov.au For translations call 13 14 50.