Expert warns that new work practices make underpayment of staff more likely.
Documented cases of wage theft are constantly popping up in the media, from gig economy businesses through to fast food chains and service stations, and businesses are being exposed for underpaying their staff. However, it’s rarer to see stories about higher paid workers being exploited by employers.
American employment expert, Professor David Weil, was in Australia recently to warn that highly skilled workers are now having their conditions eroded due to job insecurity ‘now working its way up the skill ladder’.
Speaking at the University of Sydney, Professor Weil suggested that even traditional professions such as medicine and law are affected as businesses increasingly outsource work traditionally done by them.
This is just one of many ways work is changing, and employers will increasingly need to exercise caution when outsourcing work. The increasing complexity of industrial law means many employers may be acting unlawfully by engaging in activities such as sham contracting, whether it’s intentional or not.
The future of work is now shaking up traditional industries, but with new ways of doing things comes risks. The best way to address these risks is to seek advice from Human Resource professionals who can quickly ensure businesses are compliant with the relevant laws and regulations, no matter how work changes in the future.