Outback Steakhouse accused of underpaying junior staff
Penrith’s Outback Steakhouse is in hot water after underpayment claims by waitstaff who say they were refused penalty rates and pay slips.
Young wait staff at the Sydney West restaurant have claimed they are being paid “well below” the industry award, with pay being as little as $9.89 an hour.
Numerous staff members have made claims of “ongoing underpayment” and being refused pay slips or copies of contracts.
NewsCorp obtained evidence from staff members illustrating hours worked against payments made.
According to the Fair Work Ombudsman’s Pay Calculator for waiters and waitresses in restaurants and cafes, these payments did not meet the applicable award.
There is further evidence of underpayment for weekend work, including penalty rates to staff.
One staff member told NewsCorpher parents got involved to raise concerns about underpayment.
“All of the young staff are being paid around $10 an hour,” she said.
“They are taking advantage of children, kids that don’t know any better.
“This place is a revolving door when it comes to staff because we all know we are being ripped off — they don’t care about us.”
According to the Restaurant Industry Award, level one casual employees 16 years and under are entitled to $13.08 per hour on a weekday, $15.69 on weekends and $26.15 an hour on public holidays.
A Fair Work Ombudsman spokeswoman told The Sunday Telegraph it was “a legal requirement under the Fair Work Act for all employees to receive pay slips, either in electronic form or hard copy, within one working day of payday
“Workers with concerns about their pay or entitlements can contact us,” she said.
A representative for Outback Steakhouse said the company “considers itself fully compliant in respect to its obligations to its staff”.
They also said they would “investigate” claims by staff.
Irit Jackson, 9th May 2022
