Goulburn Valley workers back-paid $67,000
Seven workers in Victoria’s Goulburn Valley have been back-paid a total of $67,400 following recent intervention by the Fair Work Ombudsman.
The largest recovery was $32,400 for two cleaners at Shepparton.
The male employees - who were both employed for more than four years - lodged complaints with the Fair Work Ombudsman after they were underpaid the minimum hourly rate and penalty rates throughout their employment.
After a Fair Work inspector contacted the business and explained its obligations, the employees were reimbursed amounts of $17,200 and $15,200, respectively, without the need for further action against the employer.
Other recent recoveries include:
- $9400 for a hospitality worker at Euroa underpaid the minimum hourly rate and penalty rates,
- $7800 for a Shepparton apprentice underpaid the minimum hourly rate and penalty rates,
- $6500 for a labourer at Echuca underpaid the minimum hourly rate after his employer didn’t lodge traineeship paperwork with the appropriate authority,
- $5800 for a Yarrawonga retail worker underpaid the minimum hourly rate, penalty rates and annual leave entitlements, and
- $5500 for a Seymour farmhand who had unauthorised deductions from wages.
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.
“It’s a fact that some businesses inadvertently breach workplace laws. When we find mistakes, we’re here to assist and give practical advice to employers on how to voluntarily resolve issues,” Mr Wilson says.
“These Goulburn Valley 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, 12 October 2012
