#Underpayments
Wage underpayments epidemic in Australia
Byline: Arthur Hambas, Lawyer at McDonald Murholme When Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews commented that “every worker has the right to get a fair day’s pay for a fair day’s work”, it drew the public’s attention to an issue that has been plaguing a significant number of Australian workers for some time. While most employers do […]
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 […]
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 […]
Is that a torn note in your till? Melbourne restaurant in hot water for unlawful deductions
A Melbourne fast food restaurant has been officially cautioned by the Fair Work Ombudsman after a random audit discovered a range of unlawful deductions were being taken from staff wages.
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”.
FWO crackdown on hospitality industry unveils over $1.2 million in underpayments
The Fair Work Ombudsman has conducted spot checks in restaurants, cafés and catering companies throughout the country, finding over $1.2 million in underpayments in the process.
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.
Less English, less pay: Restaurant owner admits underpaying workers according to English skills
The owner of a restaurant that last year catered for the Chinese President’s travelling party to Hobart has admitted to underpaying an employee because her English skills were simply not up to scratch.
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.
Security guards allegedly underpaid $94,000
The Fair Work Ombudsman has begun taking legal action against a NSW security contractor for allegedly underpaying 14 security guards almost $94,000.
Aged care workers underpaid $4.8 million
Staff are to be back-paid $4.8 million after their overtime rates were underpaid for at least six years.
$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.
Bakers Delight stores underpay almost $40,000
26 Bakers Delight employees have been reimbursed almost $40,000, following an investigation by the Fair Work Ombudsman.
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.
Businesses punished for employee underpayments
A small business owner will face court for allegedly paying young foreign workers in Darwin less than $5 an hour and failing to co-operate with the Fair Work Ombudsman.
Perth businesswoman to face second FWO action for employee underpayments
A Perth businesswoman who was last year subject to a record financial penalty arising from a Fair Work Ombudsman litigation will again face court over allegations she has continued to exploit and underpay foreign workers.
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 […]