The Fair Work Ombudsman has recently recovered almost $60,000 for dozens of workers in Victoria’s Goldfields region.

 

The largest recovery was $24,700 for 68 hospitality workers at Ballarat, with underpayments ranging from $11 to $1524.

 

The Fair Work Ombudsman randomly audited the business and found the workers had been underpaid the minimum hourly rate for almost three years between October, 2008 and June, 2011.

 

After a Fair Work inspector contacted the business and explained its obligations, the employees were reimbursed without the need for further action against the employer.

 

Other recent recoveries include:

  • $11,700 for a care worker south of Ballarat underpaid the minimum hourly rate and annual leave entitlements,
  • $7400 for a retail worker at Maryborough underpaid penalty rates, overtime allowances and annual leave entitlements,
  • $5800 for a labourer at Ballarat underpaid the minimum hourly rate,
  • $5200 for a food and beverage attendant at Daylesford underpaid the minimum hourly rate, and
  • $5000 for a North Ballarat receptionist underpaid termination entitlements.

 

Fair Work Ombudsman Nicholas Wilson says that 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.

 

The Fair Work Ombudsman provides a single point of contact for people working or running a business in Australia to get accurate and timely information about their workplace rights and obligations.

 

The website has a number of tools and resources, including PayCheckPlus and an Award Finder, to assist business owners to calculate the correct pay for their employees.