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 »

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 »

More than 700 food services workers throughout Australia will be receive back pay totalling $470,000 following a national campaign to uphold their workplace rights by the Fair Work Ombudsman.The money – an average of $671 per employee – is being progressively reimbursed after the Ombudsman found they were underpaid. A six-month campaign targeted take-away food outlets, supermarkets, grocery stores, bread and cake shops, meat, fish and poultry distributors and dairy manufacturers. Of 481... ...Read more »

The federal workplace watchdog has launched a prosecution against a Newcastle bakery, alleging it failed to keep proper time-and-wages records for four former employees who claimed they had been underpaid.Under workplace law, employers must maintain time-and-wages records relating to employees and former employees and provide the records to workplace inspectors on request. In documents lodged in the Chief Industrial Magistrate’s Court in Sydney, the Fair Work Ombudsman alleges that Newcastle... ...Read more »

The Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI), Australia’s largest business representative, has described today’s decision by the Australian Fair Pay Commission (AFPC) to maintain minimum wages at current levels as the best outcome for both employers and employees, and most importantly, one which will protect jobs. “It is a decision that is consistent with what should be Australia’s key priorities at this time – the ongoing viability of Australian businesses... ...Read more »

A young Hobart restaurant worker who believed she was being underpaid has triggered a review of the entitlements of more than 220 of her co-workers.While the 22-year-old will be reimbursed almost $70, another 129 staffers will also be back-paid a total of more than $22,000. The underpayments came to light after the restaurant agreed to do an internal audit following the young woman’s initial complaint to the Fair Work Ombudsman. Fair Work Ombudsman Executive Director Michael Campbell said the... ...Read more »

Nominations are now open for the ARA Australian Retail Awards – which celebrate the best major retailers, smaller owner-operated stores and retail innovation, as well as the achievements of young retail talent across the country. Last year’s winner was Supercheap Auto, with IGA the only food retailer to earn an award (for innovation). Australian Retail Association (ARA) Executive Director Richard Evans said there were two categories currently open for nomination – the ARA Young... ...Read more »

The operators of a former Melbourne restaurant which paid a full-time cook less than $10,000 for 18 months’ work have been fined more than $180,000.The Federal Workplace Ombudsman prosecuted businessman Poh Meng Hong for underpaying staff at his former Malaysian restaurant at Box Hill. In the Melbourne Magistrates Court yesterday, Magistrate Kate Hawkins imposed a $158,400 penalty against Penang Kayu Nasi Kander Pty Ltd, which formerly traded as Kayu@Boxhill. The Court also handed down a $25,000... ...Read more »