Fair Work Infoline: 13 13 94
Media Release
7 Oct 2010
Ballarat workers back-paid $53,000 after Fair
Work Ombudsman intervenes
A number of Ballarat workers have been back-paid more than $53,600 after recent
investigations found they were underpaid.
The Fair Work Ombudsman has recouped $22,200 for four employees at a hotel who were
underpaid their minimum hourly rate and not paid penalty rates.
After inspectors contacted the employer, the workers were promptly reimbursed amounts
of $7400, $5500, $4500 and $2600.
In a separate case, a Ballarat technician has been reimbursed more than $12,100 after
lodging a complaint that he was underpaid accrued annual leave and long service leave
entitlements.
Similarly, once Fair Work inspectors contacted the man’s employer and explained its
obligations, the company voluntarily back-paid the worker.
The recoveries are among a number of cases finalised recently on behalf of workers in the
greater Ballarat region.
Inspectors discovered the underpayments through a combination of routine audits and
investigations into complaints from workers.
Common non-compliance issues encountered by inspectors include underpayment of
hourly and penalty rates, annual leave and long service leave entitlements.
Additional recoveries include:
$7500 for a Ballarat office manager underpaid wages and accrued annual leave
entitlements,
$7300 for a Ballarat bar attendant underpaid the minimum hourly rate, and
$6400 for a Ballarat administration officer underpaid the minimum hourly rate.
Fair Work Ombudsman Executive Director Michael Campbell says the Agency places a
strong focus on educating and assisting employers to understand and comply with
workplace laws.
- to assist employees and employers to check minimum rates of pay.
Small to medium-sized businesses without human resources staff can also ensure they are
following best practice when hiring, managing and dismissing employees by using free
template employment documentation with step-by-step instructions or accessing a series
of Best Practice Guides.
Employers or employees seeking assistance or further information can also contact the Fair
Work Infoline on 13 13 94 from 8am-6pm weekdays. For translations, call 13 14 50.
Media inquiries: Richard Honey, 0457 924 146, Richard.honey@fwo.gov.au
NEWS 
