“I thought we were fine… until a client asked a question”
“I thought we were fine… until a client asked a question”
In the past few weeks, we have had a well-established business come to us with pushback from their clients on their talent supply and management processes.
This same pushback is reflected daily in calls from organisations who have applied for labour hire licences and now have long detailed letters from the regulator asking questions related to worker classifications, legislation understanding, WHS management and risk controls.
When these two collide, and they often do, companies are left with a client who wants an answer yesterday and a regulator who takes their time to undertake due diligence, dig deep into company files and public presence and raise the bar to ensure all regulatory measures are met.
In most cases, nothing catastrophic has happened but gaps have been exposed, and explanations are required with a need for evidence of change and improvement and, more importantly, commitment through training and assessments.
In this case the client requested evidence of a labour hire licence. The supplier did not have a licence, and, on first glance, their operating model indicated that a licence wasn’t necessary. However, the client insisted and the supplier applied for a licence.
The regulator came back with several pages of questions which clearly suggested that they felt the supplier was supplying labour and, as such, a licence was required.
Questions were asked about website advertising, worker classifications and Award coverage, contract agreements and more.
A Business Monitor Review, and an iEngage Risk Assessment to review worker classifications, were undertaken and the reports found what is ofetn the case that it is misunderstanding or misinterpretation that can quietly unravel a well-established business model.
An outdated policy here, a missing document there, a safety procedure that hadn’t been reviewed in years and a poor understanding of worker classifications. Individually, they appear harmless. Together, they create a risk just waiting to mature and be a real business threat.
To each company who calls us faced with these challenges the opening message is, “this is exactly why we created the Business Monitor Review and the broader Business Monitor Supported Service.”
It’s not a test.
It’s not an audit.
It’s an early detection system.
In just one hour, we walk through the core areas that keep a business safe: licensing, worker classification, WHS management, documentation, legislation review, risk management, and we find the “quiet corners” business leaders/management often overlook because they’re busy running the business.
And here’s the truth:
Most issues we uncover are completely fixable when caught early and when recommendations for actions are followed.
It’s when they’re ignored—often unintentionally—that they turn into penalties, investigations, or reputational damage.
What we love most about this process is the shift that happens for those who complete the Review.
They move from uncertainty to clarity.
From “I hope we’re compliant” to “I know exactly where we stand and what to do next.”
Compliance shouldn’t be reactive to clients or regulators.
It shouldn’t be a scramble.
It should be a pulse check—regular, calm, and preventative.
We have always used the mantra: just like a health check can save a life, a Business Monitor Review can save a business from a misstep that was never meant to happen.
If you’re wondering whether everything in your business is where it should be, that’s usually the first sign it’s time for a check-in. And even if you are not asking yourself that question, perhaps you should.
Contact us to book a Review today and see how your business is tracking.