#Fair Work Ombudsman
Paper identifies ways to simplify the workplace relations system for the small business sector
The Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman, Kate Carnell, has released a position paper identifying ways to reduce the complexity of the workplace relations system for small businesses. “We have had significant consultations with small businesses over the last two years and the overwhelming view is the legislation is far too complicated for the […]
Café manager hit with $27k fine for attempting to “get away with” underpaying overseas staff
The former manager of an Oliver Brown café on the Gold Coast has been fined $27,200 for ripping off overseas workers. Steven Chung was penalised in the Federal Circuit Court after admitting his involvement in the underpayment of 12 employees at the café in Surfers Paradise. Proceedings were brought against Chung by the Fair […]
The Fair Work Amendment (Protecting Vulnerable Workers) Act 2017 is now in effect
Friday, 15 September 2017 Source: Employsure The Fair Work Amendment (Protecting Vulnerable Workers) Act 2017 means there are harsher penalties for serious breaches of employment entitlements and record keeping failures, starting last Friday (15 September). If an employer fails to keep records and an employee claims they have been underpaid, the employer must also prove they did in […]
Fashion start-up in court over allegations of unlawful internships and underpayments
Her Fashion Box, an online fashion start-up that secured funding on the second season of Shark Tank, has been taken to court over allegations it ran an unlawful unpaid internship program and underpaid three workers more than $40,000. The Fair Work Ombudsman has commenced legal action in the Federal Circuit Court against the subscription box […]
What obligations do SMEs owe employees?
Starting up and successfully running a small business can certainly be overwhelming at times and it is of the utmost importance that you get things right from the very beginning. Your employees are one of your greatest assets, vital in the growth and prosperity of your business. To make the most of this valuable resource […]
7-Eleven says model not “dependent” on underpayment and will repay staff
After a joint investigation by Fairfax and Four Corners uncovering widespread underpayment of staff by 7-Eleven franchisees, 7-Eleven has said in a statement that it will pursue franchisees to repay money owed to present and former staff. Chief Executive Officer, Warren Wilmot said “the viability of the 7-Eleven system is in no way, never has […]
7-Eleven store owner faces Court over $50,000 underpayments
7-Eleven store owner and operator, Harmandeep Singh Sarkaria will face the Federal Circuit Court over allegations that he underpaid two migrant workers almost $50,000 and created erroneous records for the workers. The Fair Work Ombudsman (FWO) who initiated the legal proceedings has alleged that Mr Sarkaria short-changed one migrant employee from Pakistan $43,633 between 2012 […]
Former owner of pizza outlet fined for underpaying employees almost $26,000
The Federal Circuit Court has fined a former owner of the Crust pizza outlet in Maroubra $3825 for refusing to reimburse 8 underpaid workers. The 8 delivery drivers and sales employees who worked for the former owner, Sotirios Theocharidis, were underpaid a total of $25,995 in 2013. The underpayments were discovered by the Fair Work […]
Factory workers underpaid $45,000 over eight years due to computer error
25 Factory workers at Nambucca Heads on the NSW North Coast have been underpaid by a total of $45,000 over eight years. An investigation by the Fair Work Ombudsman discovered that the wages system had been set up incorrectly resulting in miscalculations of leave accruals, leave loading and superannuation entitlements between 2007 and 2015. The […]
Vulnerable working holiday makers: Blueberry farmer faces Court over alleged record-keeping failures
Sandy Beach blueberry farmer, Gurmakh Dosanjh, will face Court in Sydney over alleged record-keeping failures for dozens of overseas workers. A spot check of Mr Dosanjh’s property by Fair Work Ombudsman (FWO) inspectors last November revealed the blueberry farmer only kept a record of the workers’ first names and quantity of buckets picked. The majority […]
$15 a day & overcrowded accommodation: Company under FWO spotlight
The FWO has found a Taiwanese company has underpaid dozens of Chinese and Filipino workers it brought to regional NSW $873,000 and housed them in overcrowded accommodation.
Unchecked wage rates results in underpayment of half a million dollars
An Australian health business has inadvertently underpaid almost 200 employees half a million dollars.
Surfers Paradise nightclub underpays 54 workers
A Gold Coast crackdown by the Fair Work Ombudsman (FWO) has found a Surfers Paradise nightclub underpaid 54 workers to the tune of $63,200.
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.
Hairdressers fined $70,000 for underpaying apprentice $8,625
Paul Mark Salter and George Dimaris, operators of a chain of Cuts Only The Original Barber hairdressing salons, were each fined $10,032 and their company fined a further $50,160.
More employees using online pay tool
More employees are using the Fair Work Ombudsman’s self-help online pay tool, according to a media release from the independent statutory office.
FWO focusing on construction industry
The Fair Work Ombudsman (FWO) has today announced a new national campaign focusing on Australian construction businesses.
Coles hands trolley workers $220,000 in back-pay
Supermarket giant Coles has agreed to fork-out more than $200,000 in back-pay for ten trolley collectors, conceding its employment practices were vulnerable to exploitation and underpayment.
Employers beware crackdown on visa rorts
The Fair Work Ombudsman will launch an investigation into wages and conditions for overseas workers employed on 417 working holiday visas. The agency is expecting to receive an increase in calls for assistance from overseas workers in coming years. Reliance on overseas workers will climb and is expected to increase from 2.5 to 3.5 million […]
Wages traded for soft-drink and pizza
The operators of two Melbourne restaurants have been fined $334,818 for trading the wages of teenage employees for soft drink and pizza. Federal Circuit Judge John O’Sullivan slammed the “dark ages” practice and noted that Tecoma man Ruby Chand, who owned both franchises, had a history of underpaying employees. The underpayments took place between 2009-2012 […]
Bottle shops caught underpaying staff
Dozens of liquor stores across New South Wales are in hot water for underpaying workers their minimum entitlements.
Sham contracting high risk area for SMBs
Employment legislation can be hard to get your head around, especially if you’re an SMB hiring a variety of workers under different conditions.