Fair Work Infoline: 13 13 94
Media Release
25 Nov 2009
Caboolture food outlet back-pays young worker
$9600 after watchdog intervenes
A young worker at a Caboolture food outlet has been reimbursed $9600 after an
investigation by the Fair Work Ombudsman found he was underpaid.
The worker, who was in a managerial position, complained after he became
aware he was not being paid penalty rates for overtime and weekend work.
After the Fair Work Ombudsman became involved, the young worker was
promptly back-paid without the need for further action against the company.
The recovery is among a number of cases finalised recently on behalf of workers
in and around Caboolture.
Inspectors discovered the underpayments through a combination of routine audits
and investigations into complaints from workers.
They include include:
$10,300 for the manager of a Narangba business underpaid accrued annual
leave entitlements on termination,
$9200 for a Burpengary tradesman underpaid redundancy entitlements, and
$7850 for the manager of a Caboolture business underpaid pay in lieu of
notice and accrued annual leave entitlements on termination.
Fair Work Ombudsman Queensland Director Julie Wade says most underpayments
resulted from a lack of understanding by employers of their legal obligations,
including applicable Awards and pay-scales.
“That’s why the Fair Work Ombudsman places such a strong focus on educating
employers and assisting them to understand and comply with workplace laws,”
she said.
Ms Wade says in most cases, the Fair Work Ombudsman does not prosecute
employers for inadvertent breaches of workplace laws.
“However, employers need to be aware that they can face fines of up $33,000 per
breach if we do take matters to court,” she said.
“Most of the $70 million we have recovered for 54,000 workers throughout
Australia over the past two years has been recouped without resorting to
litigation.”
… 2
Fair Work Infoline: 13 13 94
2
Ms Wade says employers or employees seeking up-to-date information on wage
rates and conditions should visit www.fwo.gov.au or contact the Fair Work
Infoline on 13 13 94. Translations are available by calling 13 14 50.
“The Fair Work Ombudsman’s website also includes information and templates to
help employers better manage employment records and payslips,” she said.
“Employers need to be aware that under Commonwealth workplace laws they
must keep accurate time, wages, annual leave and other employment records
and issue sufficiently detailed payslips.”
Eleven Best Practice Guides have been developed by the Fair Work Ombudsman
to assist employers make better use of the provisions of the Fair Work Act and
better understand other aspects of workplace laws.
The new guides are on the website and cover work and family, consultation and
co-operation, individual flexibility arrangements, employing young workers,
gender pay equity, small business, workplace privacy, managing
underperformance, effective dispute resolution and improving workplace
productivity in bargaining.
The Fair Work Ombudsman promotes harmonious, productive and co-operative
workplaces. It also monitors compliance and investigates breaches of national
workplace laws.
NOTE: We are unable to identify individual businesses or provide additional
information about the cases listed.
Media inquiries:
Craig Bildstien, Director Media & Stakeholder Relations. 0419 818 484.
craig.bildstien@fwo.gov.au
Ryan Pedler, Senior Adviser Media & Stakeholder Relations. (03) 9954
2561, 0434 365 924. ryan.pedler@fwo.gov.au
NEWS 
