#Court
Businesswomen who underpaid because minimum pay rates are “just crazy” fined $228,000
A $228,000 fine has been handed down to the operator of a travel services company for underpaying an employee because she thinks the requirement of minimum pay rates is “just crazy”.
Carsales takes Carsguide to court alleging “misleading” advertising campaign
Carsguide’s campaign includes an eyebrow-raising billboard on Punt Road in Melbourne. The billboard, situated right next to the Carsales head office, reads “Let lightning strike those who sell your contact details to dealers”.
Underpaying backpackers leads to $100,000 in fines
Almost $100,00 in penalties has been handed down to a Cairns businessman and his tour company after he was found guilty of underpaying five backpackers.
Sydney childcare centre underpays workers over $360,000
The Federal Circuit Court has penalised a Sydney businessman $28,900 for underpaying employees at his former childcare centre over $360,000.
PayPal pays $25 million to settle Government claims
Online payments giant PayPal has paid $US25 million in order to settle claims of illegal conduct made by the U.S. Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB).
AGL penalised $1 million for misleading discount claims
The South Australian arm of electricity retail giant AGL has been penalised over $1 million for misleading customers on the discounts they would receive under the company’s energy plans.
Spreets fined $600,000 for misleading customers
Popular discount coupon website Spreets has been fined $600,000 after the Federal Court found the company guilty of making false or misleading representations to consumers.
EnergyAustralia and telemarketer fined $1.1 million for misleading consumers
The Federal Court of Australia ruled that Bright Choice, on behalf of EnergyAustralia, called residents in New South Wales, Queensland and Victoria with misleading representations.
Cleaning company fined $500,000 for offences
A Melbourne cleaning company has been fined half a million dollars in proceedings by the ACCC.
Safety Compliance guilty of misleading small businesses
Safety Compliance Pty Ltd, which went into liquidation in 2012, has been found guilty of misleading or deceptive conduct directed at small businesses.
$24,000 penalty for underpaying $6,000
The former owner and operator of a Sydney hair and beauty salon has been fined a total of $24,480 for underpaying a teenage apprentice $6,471.
ACCC alleges “misleading” Nurofen claims [UPDATED]
A range of Nurofen products are under the spotlight of the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission, with allegations of misleading marketing and false claims.
Travel businesses fined $138,000 for underpaying staff and sham contracting
The Federal Circuit Court has fined two Gold Coast travel businesses almost $138,000 for underpaying six employees…
Four-and-half years’ jail for faking clients’ deaths
A funeral director has been sentenced to four-and-a-half years in jail, with three years non-parole, for faking the deaths of clients in order to claim insurance payouts.
Origin Energy fined $325,000 for misleading energy plan
Origin Energy Limited and two of its subsidiaries will have to pay a penalty of $325,000 after the Federal Court of Australian found the company guilty of making false or misleading representations.
7-Eleven store facing court for underpayment
The Fair Work Ombudsman has commenced legal action against the operator of a 7-Eleven store in Brisbane, alleging that he underpaid an overseas worker over $21,000.
Gloria Jean’s café fined $110,000 for underpaying $8 an hour
The operators-owners of a Gloria Jean’s café in Melbourne have been penalized a total of $110,500 for paying employees as little as $8 per hour.
$95,000 fine for fish and chip shop underpayments
Two former fish and chip shop operators have been fined a total of $94,990 after the Sydney Federal Circuit Court found them guilty of underpaying staff.
Reebok Australia penalised for false and misleading representations
Reebok Australia Pty Ltd has been penalised by the Federal Court for making false and misleading representations about their EasyTone shoe range.
When legal action is a business risk
Legal action—whether warranted or not—is a very real risk to businesses, including SMEs. Even if people do not have an honest claim to make against you, the cost of legal assistance to prove your innocence can be devastating to your business. Also, the toll it takes on your time and emotions can seriously hurt your business and personal time.
Clive Peeters’ accountant faces 11 year jail term
Clive Peeters senior accountant Sonya Causer plead guilty to 24 counts of theft in the Victorian Supreme court yesterday amounting to some $20 million stolen from Clive Peeters accounts.
Asteria Joinery director fined $16,900 for underpaying workers
Asteria Joinery’s director Ryan Marsh was fined $16,900 after a prosecution by the Fair Work Ombudsman for underpaying workers at his company more than $31,000.