Client challenge

A major retail group had announced a significant underpayment of employees over several years, based on inadequate processes underpinning time and attendance.

The client wanted to lock down its compliance in this area, and then to explore how improved tools could help them better plan their labour spend to customer demand.

The solution

Grant Thornton – led by the firm’s forensics and tax experts, backed by dedicated-technology for data analytics and automation – was engaged to undertake an immediate confidential review of claims, including quantification of
under-reporting and liaising on behalf of the company with relevant statutory authorities to mitigate financial and corporate risk.

The complexities of the review were due to the scale – involving some 100 plus employees – and the breadth employee arrangements, awards and EBAs, as well as multiple time recording processes.

The outcome

The team was able to apply a full and comprehensive review covering all bases: focusing on statutory requirements at play for this organisation and its people, spotting exposure points, and developing compliance and mitigation controls.
This was combined with the support of data analytics and automation tools for accuracy and efficiency.

Importantly, the team is skilled in disputes advice, and was able to work with the relevant statutory authorities, mitigating the penalties based on the examples of underpayment discovered, as well as minimising resulting reputational damage given the speed of rectification.

For many reasons, a business might discover they have examples of underpayment of their people. We are increasingly seeing whistleblowing as the trigger point. Businesses that respond quickly and comprehensively with an independent advisor can minimise the impact to their business and their people significantly.
Darryn Hockley Partner - Forensics, Grant Thornton
Image

Darryn Hockley

Partner - Forensic Consulting
Financial Advisory

Darryn is a Forensic Consulting specialist with a background in providing expert reports and expert witness services in disputes including, loss and damage assessments, business and share valuations, shareholder issues including oppression claims, financial reporting errors and disputes in relation to financial statements and requirements to reconstruct financial statements.

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