Hairdressers' customers are in good hands in Western Australia - industrially speaking, that is.
Industrial inspectors have visited hundreds of hairdressing salons around the State and found a high degree of compliance with industrial awards.
"Deficiencies uncovered were all relatively minor," Productivity and Labour Relations Minister Yvonne Henderson said today.
"Department of Productivity and Labour Relations inspectors visited 298 hairdressing salons in the past year.
"What is pleasing about the survey results is that 91 per cent of salons visited complied with award provisions on overtime and on minimum hours for casual and overtime work.
"Similarly, 95 per cent were making superannuation contributions.
"The survey is also valuable in that employers not complying with the law can rectify their problems speedily."
Mrs Henderson said there was no doubt that lack of knowledge of the award provisions had led to many of these breaches.
"Just over a quarter of the hairdressers visited had deficient time and wages records for their employees," she said.
"The problem of deficient time and wages records is regarded as less significant, and employers remedied it immediately.
"Nine per cent had not paid overtime where it was due, and five per cent had paid incorrect Saturday afternoon penalty rates.
"Other breaches include not observing minimum hours for casual and part-time work; not observing the superannuation provision; and paying incorrect late-night trading and Saturday penalty rates.
"The prime purpose of inspectors' visits to hair salons is to assist proprietors in applying and interpreting the Hairdressers' Award, as well as checking time and wages' records and ensuring that employees are receiving their correct entitlements."
Mrs Henderson said a total of 190 award breaches had been detected so far. Hairdressers visited were in the metropolitan area and major regional centres.
"It is important that this work is done to ensure that industries are aware of their obligations," she said.
"The Department is considering other options to ensure that proprietors are made aware of their obligations.
"These include seminars, advertising and mailouts."
