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.
Jack Younes and his Lattouf Hair and Day Spa franchise outlet in Castle Hill were found guilty of underpaying the apprentice, who was 18 and 19 at the time, between July 2012 and October 2013. Underpayments included minimum wages, penalty rates and leave entitlements.
Mr Younes was fined $4,080 and his company, Viper Industries Pty Ltd, $20,400.
The Fair Work Ombudsman (FWO) issued a Compliance Notice to Mr Younes and his company after they received a complaint from the employee. The FWO said there was no response to that or a follow-up letter in June.
The FWO said they had contacted Mr Younes “on at least 35 occasions” due to several complaints from young workers.
During her ruling, Judge Sylvia Emmett said Mr Younes had shown reckless disregard for staff obligations.