$97,000 back-paid to workers in Victoria’s Goldfields region

Workers in Victoria’s Goldfields region have been back-paid a total of $97,300 following recent intervention by the Fair Work Ombudsman.

The biggest recovery was $64,900 for two workers at an Inglewood business not paid wages in lieu of notice, annual leave and redundancy entitlements upon termination in 2012.

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

Other recent recoveries include:

• $23,900 for three clerical workers at a business in the Ballarat area who were underpaid wages as a result having superannuation deducted from their pay instead of paid on top of their earnings between 2006 and 2011, and
• $8,500 for a worker at a hospitality industry business in the Castlemaine area underpaid penalty and overtime rates between 2010 and 2012.

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.”

Mr Campbell said the Fair Work Ombudsman’s website - www.fairwork.gov.au - contained a number of tools and resources, including PayCheck Plus, an Award Finder and fact sheets, to help employers understand their workplace obligations.

The Fair Work Ombudsman recovered $7.7 million in back-pay for more than 3800 workers in Victoria last financial year.

More than 186,000 Victorian employers and employees 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, 30 April 2013