Fair Work Infoline: 13 13 94
Media Release
16 Nov 2009
Cairns tourism operator back-pays manager
$24,000 after watchdog intervenes
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Cairns tourism operator has back-paid one of its staff $24,000 after an
investigation by the Fair Work Ombudsman found the worker was underpaid.
The employee lodged a complaint after leaving his job but was not paid his
accrued annual leave entitlements.
After Fair Work inspectors contacted the employer, the employee was promptly
reimbursed without the need for further action against the company.
In a separate case, the general manager of a Cairns industrial business has also
been back-paid $9350 after an investigation by Fair Work inspectors.
The manager had been underpaid his accrued annual leave entitlements when he
finished working for his employer. The employer also voluntarily reimbursed the
money after being contacted by inspectors.
The recoveries are among several cases resolved recently on behalf of workers in
the Cairns area.
Inspectors discovered the underpayments through a combination of routine audits
and investigations into complaints from workers.
Fair Work Ombudsman Queensland Director Julie Wade says most of the
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.”
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.
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Fair Work Infoline: 13 13 94
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“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 mentioned.
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 
