$27,000 back-pay for South Coast workers
Four workers on the NSW South Coast have been back-paid a total of $27,600 following recent intervention by the Fair Work Ombudsman.
The largest recovery was $12,100 for two clerks at Bomaderry.
The two long-term employees – aged in their 60s – lodged complaints with the Fair Work Ombudsman after they were underpaid termination entitlements.
After a Fair Work inspector contacted the business and explained its obligations, the workers were reimbursed all the money owed without the need for further action against the employer.
Other local recoveries include:
- $8600 for a warehouse worker in Nowra underpaid the minimum hourly rate for nearly 12 months, and
- $6900 for a hospitality worker at Ulladulla underpaid penalty rates.
Fair Work Ombudsman Nicholas Wilson says when Fair Work inspectors identify a problem and contact a business, most employers check their records, realise a problem has occurred and fix it immediately.
"We're here to assist and give practical advice to employers on how to voluntarily resolve issues," Mr Wilson says.
"These South Coast businesses have now corrected the errors that led to the underpayments and put processes in place to ensure they will not happen again."
Mr Wilson says the Fair Work Ombudsman's Assisted Voluntary Resolution team is now achieving resolution of about half its referrals within the first month.
Workers or employers seeking support should get in touch with the Fair Work Ombudsman via the website – www.fairwork.gov.au - or call the Fair Work Infoline on 13 13 94.
Source: Fair Work Ombudsman, 11 July 2012
