In the wake of some of Australia’s biggest companies making headlines for underpaying their workers, more and more businesses are taking steps to ensure staff are properly paid.

Woolworths has been accused of wage theft, while BHP has admitted to underpaying nearly 30,000 workers. Australia's complex industrial relations system makes it easy for such errors to occur, prompting workers to be vigilant about their payslips. The Fair Work Ombudsman estimates that Australians are underpaid around $1.35 billion annually, particularly affecting workers in the construction, healthcare, accommodation, and food services sectors.

Tracey Angwin from the Australian Payroll Association highlights that only 17% of payroll managers in Australian businesses are properly qualified, leading to both underpayments and overpayments. Overpayments can be particularly stressful as employees may need to return money they have already spent. Joel Smith from Affinity, a payroll technology provider, notes that the rise of the gig economy and variable work patterns have increased payroll complexities.

Experts emphasize the importance of individuals cross-checking their paychecks and seeking assistance from trusted colleagues, management, or HR if there are discrepancies. While payroll issues are straightforward, they must not be neglected to ensure fair compensation for all workers.



Revealed: the true cost of underpayments in the workplace

Woolworths has been accused of a form of wage theft. BHP has admitted it has underpaid almost 30,000 workers. Following some of Australia's biggest companies hitting the headlines for all the wrong reasons, the country's workers are being urged to pay attention to their payslips. Often people don't realise that they're being underpaid and these examples really showcase that this is not just a one-off. Sometimes this is quite a big systemic problem. Based on data from the Fair Work Ombudsman, it's estimated Australians are underpaid around $1.35 billion every year, with workers in the construction, healthcare, accommodation and food services sectors most likely to be affected. Australia has a very complicated industrial relations system and it's very easy to get wrong. Tracey Angwin from the Australian Payroll Association says many payroll problems could easily be avoided, but currently only 17% of people tasked with paying workers in Aussie business are actually properly qualified. Payroll is a business's largest expense and you've got unqualified people managing your largest expense. And it's not just underpayments causing issues for Australian businesses and their staff. In 70% of the work we do, we find overpayments as well and that happens for exactly the same reason. We call it this sort of set and neglect mentality. In many cases we see that overpayments can be more stressful for individuals because then they can be in a position where they have to return monies that potentially they've already spent. Joel Smith and his colleagues from payroll technology provider Affinity spend their time helping businesses big and small ensure their employees' pay is on the money. Most workforces have become more complex. The rise of the gig economy, people with variable work patterns, that's increased and it's continuing to increase, particularly today when people are often faced with a cost-of-living crisis. They certainly need to know that they are being fully compensated for the work that they're undertaking. And experts say whatever your line of work, it's never been more important to cross-check your paycheck. There's no one-size-fits-all when it comes to payslip. They can be quite unique. If you don't understand it, find a trusted colleague or call out to your management team or your HR team. Payroll is a very black and white problem. However, that's no excuse for getting it wrong. For more UN videos visit www.un.org

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