Compliance with Employment-Related Legislation: Challenges for Small and Medium Businesses in Western Australia

Abstract

All businesses have employment-related legislative obligations; irrespective of company size, non-compliance is subject to punitive actions. Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) employ a significant percentage of the Western Australian workforce; their survival and appetite to recruit and manage staff effectively are critical. Fifty (50) SME owner/managers and stakeholders contributed to this qualitative research, the objective of which is to identify factors that help and hinder compliance of SMEs in meeting legislative requirements in the employment jurisdiction.