Fair Work Infoline: 13 13 94
Media Release
29 Nov 2009
Queensland clubs campaign recovers $350,000
back-pay for 2000 workers
Almost 2000 Queenslanders working in clubs in central and northern parts of the
State have been underpaid a total of $350,000 over the past two years.
Latest investigations by the federal Fair Work Ombudsman have recouped
another $206,000 for 1100 employees of 59 clubs.
The regulator targeted clubs for a second round of random audits after inspectors
last year found less than a third were complying with workplace laws.
The 2008 campaign recovered $141,000 from 52 clubs which had underpaid 890
of their staff.
Some of those underpaying last year were visited a second time, and inspectors
discovered three – one in the Cairns region and two in the Rockhampton region -
had again short-changed 13 of their staff more than $8500.
Eighty-two sports, RSL and community clubs in the Cairns, Townsville,
Rockhampton, Bundaberg, Gladstone, Mackay and South-West regions
have been scrutinised by Fair Work inspectors over the past eight months.
Fair Work Ombudsman Executive-Director Michael Campbell says the result of the
latest audit is disturbing, with 59 of the 80 clubs audited (74 per cent) non-
compliant – and he would not rule out legal action against repeat offenders.
Mr Campbell says the outcome is a wake-up call to employers to double-check
they are meeting their legal obligations to their workforce.
“And we can help with that. We have 200 highly-skilled advisers ready to answer
employer’s questions if they pick up the phone and call our national Infoline on 13
13 94,” he said.
“Alternatively, we have a range of user-friendly resources available on our
templates.”
Mr Campbell says most clubs were paying incorrect wage rates and not paying
correct overtime, weekend and public holiday penalty rates.
The highest underpayments were unearthed at a club in the Townsville region
which had underpaid its staff $40,000.
The largest amount recovered for a single employee was $20,000 in central
inland Queensland.
“We have a flexible, fair approach and our preference is always to work with
employers to educate them and help them voluntarily rectify any non-compliance
issues we identify,” Mr Campbell said.
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Fair Work Infoline: 13 13 94
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“Fortunately in this latest campaign, the clubs have co-operated and all
outstanding entitlements have been voluntarily reimbursed to employees.
“Indeed, after we wrote to clubs signalling our intention to conduct this campaign,
13 of them did their own self-assessments and had back-paid $54,000 to their
staff without having to be asked.”
However, Mr Campbell issued a cautionary reminder that employers who failed to
take their responsibilities seriously could face penalties up to $33,000 per breach
if the matter went to court.
Recoveries for workers from the latest campaign are:
Cairns region - $13,000 for 92 workers
Rockhampton region - $62,000 for 393 workers
Townsville region - $54,000 for 105 workers
Bundaberg/Gladstone region - $9500 for 55 workers
Mackay region - $54,000 for 496 workers, and
South-West region - $12,000 for 57 workers.
Inspectors are continuing investigations at two clubs.
Mr Campbell says the Fair Work Ombudsman can help workers and employers
alike to understand their respective rights and obligations under the new National
Employment Standards and Modern Awards which come into effect on January 1
next year.
Those seeking assistance should contact the Fair Work Infoline on 13 13 94
between 8am and 6pm weekdays. For translations call 13 14 50.
The Fair Work Ombudsman promotes harmonious, productive and co-operative
workplaces. It also monitors compliance and investigates breaches of national
workplace laws.
Media inquiries:
Craig Bildstien, Director of Media & Stakeholder Relations, 0419 818 484.
craig.bildstien@fwo.gov.au
Ryan Pedler, Senior Adviser, 0434 365 924. ryan.pedler@fwo.gov.au
NEWS 
