$75k back-pay for workers in western Sydney
A number of employees in Sydney’s west have been back-paid a total of $75,600 following recent intervention by the Fair Work Ombudsman.
The largest recovery was $20,000 for an engineer in Penrith who was underpaid wages in lieu of notice, annual leave and expense entitlements upon termination of employment.
After a Fair Work inspector contacted the business and explained its obligations, the employee was reimbursed all money owed without the need for further action.
Other recent recoveries include:
- $17,200 for a Seven Hills manager underpaid redundancy entitlements upon termination of employment,
- $8500 for six fitness instructors at Blacktown underpaid wages in 2010,
- $6500 for a Llandilo security worker underpaid wages in lieu of notice of termination of employment,
- $6200 for a worker at Fairfield underpaid wages,
- $6000 for a hospitality worker near Penrith underpaid wages,
- $5800 for a Bella Vista tradesperson underpaid personal leave entitlements and allowances, and
- $5400 for a Shalvey worker underpaid wages in 2012.
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.
“When we find mistakes, we’re here to assist and give practical advice to employers on how to voluntarily resolve issues,” Mr Wilson says.
“The businesses involved have now corrected the errors that led to the underpayments and put processes in place to ensure they will not happen again.”
Employers and employees seeking information and advice should visit www.fairwork.gov.au or call the Infoline on 13 13 94 from 8am-6pm weekdays.
Source: Fair Work Ombudsman, 26 November 2012
