CBD workers in Melbourne back-paid $109,000

Workers in Melbourne’s CBD and inner suburbs have been back-paid a total of $109,600 following recent intervention by the Fair Work Ombudsman.

The largest recovery was $33,400 for a  Southbank manager.

The male employee in his 40s lodged a complaint with Fair Work Ombudsman when he was underpaid redundancy entitlements.

After a Fair Work inspector contacted the business and explained its obligations, the employee was promptly reimbursed all money owed without the need for further action against the employer.

Other recent recoveries include:

• $13,600 for two CBD salesmen who had unauthorised deductions from their wages, and were underpaid the minimum hourly rate and annual leave entitlements,
• $9500 for a CBD consultant underpaid redundancy entitlements,
• $8800 for a business manager in the CBD not paid wages in lieu of notice,
• $7600 for a CBD communications professional underpaid the minimum hourly rate,
• $7200 for a CBD trolley collector not paid for all hours worked,
• $6800 for a CBD hospitality worker underpaid the minimum hourly rate, penalty rates and annual leave entitlements,
• $6700 for a CBD security officer underpaid wages in lieu of notice, penalty rates and allowances,
• $5500 for a Southbank receptionist underpaid the minimum hourly rate,
• $5500 for a Docklands developer underpaid annual leave entitlements, and
• $5000 for a CBD receptionist underpaid the minimum hourly rate. 

Acting Fair Work Ombudsman Mark Scully 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.

“When we find mistakes, we’re here to assist and give practical advice to employers on how to voluntarily fix them,” Mr Scully says.

“These Melbourne businesses have now corrected the errors that led to the underpayments and put processes in place to ensure they will not happen again.”

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, 10 August 2012