Perth workers back-paid $106,000

Workers in Perth’s CBD and surrounding suburbs have been back-paid a total of $106,200 following recent intervention by the Fair Work Ombudsman.

The largest recovery was $32,400 for two managers at a Northbridge business.

The two long-term employees lodged complaints with Fair Work Ombudsman after they were underpaid wages in lieu of notice and annual leave entitlements on termination of their employment.

The workers were underpaid $18,900 and $13,500 respectively.

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

Other recent recoveries include:

• $17,600 for CBD cook underpaid wages and annual leave entitlements on termination of employment,
• $16,000 for a Banjup tradesman underpaid annual leave entitlements,
• $14,200 for two South Perth maintenance workers not paid for all hours worked,
• $9800 for a CBD security guard underpaid penalty rates,
• $6000 for a Quinns Rock security guard underpaid annual leave entitlements,
• $5100 for a Welshpool technician underpaid wages in lieu of notice, and
• $5100 for a Woodvale chef underpaid wages in lieu of notice and annual leave entitlements.

Fair Work Ombudsman Nicholas Wilson says that 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 Wilson says.

“These Perth 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, 3 September 2012