The Fair Work Ombudsman and McDonald’s Australia have embarked on a new national initiative designed to ensure employee pay packets for McDonald’s 85,000-strong national workforce are accurate. McDonald’s, in collaboration with the Fair Work Ombudsman, has set up a self-audit process to review about 8500 pay packets and correct any issues it may find, which the quick-service restaurant chain says is in line with its goal of being an employer of choice for young people, and operating its business... ...Read more »

The operators of fruit and vegetable stores in Wagga and Sydney have been fined almost $90,000 for underpaying 40 of their workers. The penalties were handed down in the Federal Magistrates Court in Sydney yesterday following a prosecution by the Fair Work Ombudsman. The Fair Work Ombudsman told the Court that 20 shop assistants at the former ‘Fruit World’ and ‘Fruit Market’ stores on Baylis Street in Wagga were underpaid a total of $84,000 – and 20 shop assistants at the Roselands... ...Read more »

The Fair Work Ombudsman has launched a prosecution against Hungry Jack’s Pty Ltd for allegedly underpaying its Tasmanian employees more than $665,000. Documents lodged in the Federal Magistrates Court in Melbourne allege that Hungry Jack’s underpaid 693 of its Tasmanian employees a total of $665,695 between March, 2006 and August, 2008. The employees worked at six Hungry Jack’s owned and operated stores in Devonport, Glenorchy, Hobart, South Hobart, Launceston and Mowbray. The... ...Read more »

The operators of a Melbourne food company have been fined a total of $54,000 for underpaying a delivery truck driver more than $32,000. The penalties are the result of a prosecution by the Fair Work Ombudsman in the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court. Magistrate Franz Holzer imposed a fine of $37,000 against Olara Pty Ltd and $2000 against Exofun Pty Ltd. A director of both companies, Harry Friedman, of North Caulfield, was also fined $15,000 for his involvement. The two companies were involved in... ...Read more »

The Fair Work Ombudsman is taking legal action against the operators of two Chili’s restaurants for allegedly underpaying teenage staff.The litigation follows an extensive investigation into the Chili’s chain of restaurants which started in 2007. Chili’s (Shellharbour) Pty Ltd and Chili’s (Penrith) Pty Ltd will face the Federal Magistrates Court in Sydney. Court documents allege Chili’s (Shellharbour) Pty Ltd short-changed a 15-year-old part-time teenage girl $212 over... ...Read more »

The operators of a Melbourne restaurant will face court for allegedly failing to keep proper employment records for more than 70 employees.The Fair Work Ombudsman has launched a prosecution against Baker Group Management Pty Ltd, which trades as Angelucci’s Restaurant and Bar on Chapel Street, South Yarra. The Agency is also prosecuting the company’s operations manager Sam Baker. The Fair Work Ombudsman audited the Baker Group last year after receiving a complaint from an employee. Documents... ...Read more »

The Fair Work Ombudsman is prosecuting the operator of a Darwin take-away food outlet for allegedly underpaying a young employee almost $25,000. The national pay protector has launched legal action Fortcrest Investments Pty Ltd, which owns and operates Lips Café at the Oasis Shopping Centre, Palmerston. Documents lodged in the Federal Magistrates Court in Darwin allege Fortcrest Investments underpaid a casual food service employee a total of $24,526 over five years to 2008 when she was aged between... ...Read more »

Retailers have welcomed the support of Deputy Prime Minister and Employment Minister Julia Gillard for a five year transition to higher penalty rates under the modern retail award. “The Deputy Prime Minister’s announcement today will ease some of the pressure on retailers who are doing all they can to retain staff,” Australian National Retailers Association (ANRA) CEO Margy Osmond suggested. “ANRA commends the Deputy Prime Minister for responding to employers’ concerns.” Retailers... ...Read more »

The Fair Work Ombudsman has recovered back-payments totalling $23,000 for eight food salespeople in Melbourne’s east and south-eastern suburbs over the past three months.Fair Work Ombudsman Executive Director Michael Campbell reported that the casual salespeople – who no longer work for the operator of food outlets in the Monash and Glen Eira local government areas – were underpaid the minimum hourly rate as a result of the employer failing to pay them according to the applicable... ...Read more »

The federal workplace watchdog has launched a prosecution against the operators of a Melbourne food company, alleging they underpaid a delivery truck driver more than $32,000 over several years.The Fair Work Ombudsman is prosecuting Olara Pty Ltd and Exofun Pty Ltd, which have traded as Exclusive Food Houses in Moorabbin and been involved in importing and distributing specialist foods. The Agency is also prosecuting a director of both companies, Harry Friedman of North Caulfield, alleging he was... ...Read more »