Regulator recoups $90,000 for workers in Sydney’s South and South West

Workers in Sydney’s South and South West have been back-paid a total of $90,000 following recent intervention by the Fair Work Ombudsman.

The biggest recovery was $41,400 for six administration workers at a Liverpool healthcare industry business underpaid wages and penalty rates between 2009 and 2012.

Some of the workers had not been paid wages they were entitled to for trial work periods.

Fair Work Ombudsman Group Manager, Michael Campbell, said employers must pay employees for all hours worked, including work during trial periods.

“It may be appropriate for employers to ask prospective employees to quickly demonstrate a skill needed for the job, but when this turns into work being performed for a number of hours, the worker should be paid,” Mr Campbell said. 

Other recent recoveries in Sydney’s South and South West include:

• $30,200 for 10 workers at a Condell Park business underpaid wages, overtime, and penalty rates over a five-month period in 2012, and
• $18,400 for a Sans Souci fast food worker underpaid minimum wages between 2009 and 2013.

In all cases, after Fair Work inspectors contacted the businesses and explained their obligations the employees were reimbursed all money owed without the need for further action against the employer.

“When we find mistakes, we’re here to assist and give practical advice to employers on how to voluntarily resolve issues,” Mr Campbell said.

“These Sydney businesses 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 advice on their rights and obligations should visit www.fairwork.gov.au or contact the Fair Work Infoline on 13 13 94.

Source: Fair Work Ombudsman, 22 April 2013