Tasmanian workers back-paid $116,000

Workers in Tasmania have been back-paid a total of $116,700 following recent intervention by the Fair Work Ombudsman.

The biggest recovery was $56,000 for a worker at a transport industry business in the Burnie area who was underpaid overtime and penalty rates between 2006 and 2012.

In another case, a catering manager in Hobart was back-paid $21,800 after being underpaid penalty rates between 2006 and 2012, as well as redundancy entitlements upon termination of employment.

Other recent recoveries in Tasmania include:

• $20,500 for a maintenance worker at Hobart underpaid wages and personal leave entitlements in 2011-2012, as well as long service leave, redundancy pay and annual leave entitlements upon termination of employment,
• $10,000 for six employees at a Hobart real estate agency underpaid minimum wages in 2011-2012, and
• $8,400 for a tradesman at a Launceston construction company underpaid minimum wages over a six-month period in 2012.

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.

Acting Fair Work Ombudsman Michael Campbell said 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 Campbell said.

“These businesses have now corrected the errors that led to the underpayments and put processes in place to ensure they will not happen again.”

Last financial year the Fair Work Ombudsman recovered $640,000 in back-pay for more than 300 workers in Tasmania.

More than 15,000 Tasmanian employees and employers sought advice from the Fair Work Infoline last financial year.

Employers and employees seeking information and advice should visit www.fairwork.gov.au or call the Infoline on 13 13 94.

Source: Fair Work Ombudsman, 29 April 2013