{"id":235,"date":"2018-08-29T10:30:00","date_gmt":"2018-08-29T10:30:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/epo2023.appletest.com.au\/?p=235"},"modified":"2023-10-26T10:35:20","modified_gmt":"2023-10-26T10:35:20","slug":"fair-work-amendment","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.epayoffice.com.au\/fair-work-amendment\/","title":{"rendered":"Can you be held responsible for your franchisees\u2019 non-compliance with workplace laws?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

On 15 September 2017, the Fair Work Amendment (Protecting Vulnerable Workers) Act 2017 took effect. Along with the Amendment came new provisions making franchisors responsible in some circumstances for their franchisees or subsidiaries not following workplace laws. Could you be facing potential penalties under the Act as a result?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Background<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Workplace relations compliance needs to be part of any company\u2019s long-term, sustainable business plan \u2013 whether you run a small-medium sized enterprise, a division of a multinational, or a franchise.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Compliance with relevant workplace legislation can help businesses meet their obligations, understand labour costs and retain employees. Conversely, failing to meet workplace obligations can have serious consequences for any business. As a franchisor, these consequences can be felt by the entire brand, as public perception is related to the brand itself rather than a specific franchised business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Under the changes to the Act some franchisors may now also be held legally responsible if their franchisees don\u2019t comply with certain workplace laws including:<\/p>\n\n\n\n