Mr Hatzistergos said businesses in Coonabarabran, Baradine, Binnaway, Gilgandra, Nyngan and Cobar would be inspected as part of a State-wide campaign.

“The NSW Government is committed to ensuring businesses are competing fairly and complying with their responsibilities as employers,” he said.

“Employers will be provided with information and advice on workplace rights and obligations under NSW industrial laws, such as pay rates, conditions of employment, leave entitlements and employment records. As part of the visits, inspectors from the NSW Office of Industrial Relations will conduct interviews with the employer or person in charge of the business.

“Employers are required to let the inspector in to their workplace, answer the questions asked and provide any employment records requested.”

For more information visit www.industrialrelations.nsw.gov.a u

he said.

“Most employers want to do the right thing, but failure to comply with any of the above can result in legal action and hefty fines.”

Mr Hatzistergos said inspectors would be visiting approximately 20,000 workplaces across NSW during 2009/10.

“These inspections provide an opportunity for employers to ask questions to ensure they are meeting their obligations to their staff,” he said.

The NSW Office of Industrial Relations has a range of services to assist employers to ensure their business is complying with NSW Industrial Relations laws including:

• an information advisory hotline - 131 628

• online calculators to check pay rates and entitlements

• electronic award updates

• an online service to check if a business is covered by the state or federal

industrial relations system

• workshops and short courses

• workplace advice publications in a range of different languages.

For more information visit www.industrialrelations.nsw.gov.a u