The Plumbing and Fire Sprinklers Award workshop on Wednesday 19 November was an education in the complex task of ensuring employees are paid correctly.

Facilitated by Desiree Dyer from HR Legal & Training, the two-hour session was a 'guided tour' of the Award, revealing the challenges involved in interpreting the array of pay rates and allowances.

One of the key takeaways was the financial risk of underpayment resulting in a huge back pay claim in the future. In order to mitigate this risk, employers should ensure they are always referring to current version of the Award. When in doubt, professional legal advice is recommended.

Members can find links to the Plumbing and Fire Sprinklers Award, pay calculator and pay guides in the members area. Simply log into the members area then select 'Useful Links' and 'Wage Rates'.