Record-keeping

Effective record-keeping in a workplace means systematically recording details like employees’ hours of work, their wages, leave taken, and other employment-related information. This is important for compliance with legal requirements, ensuring accurate payment and maintaining clear employment records. Good record-keeping helps in resolving disputes, managing payroll efficiently, and provides a transparent account of employment practices.

Employment records you must keep

Under the Fair Work Act and Regulations, employers must keep employee records for 7 years, including pay, hours of work for casual and irregular-hours employees, overtime, leave balances, superannuation contributions, individual flexibility arrangements and termination details. Records must be in English, legible and readily accessible to a Fair Work inspector. Failing to keep records can lead to penalties, and in an underpayment claim the employer may have to disprove the employee's allegations. For example, a café should keep timesheets showing the start and finish times of each casual shift.

See pay slip, or book an HR compliance audit.