Fair Work Infoline: 13 13 94
Media Release
15 Dec 2009
Central Queensland employer back-pays worker
$17,000 after Fair Work investigation
A Central Queensland worker has been reimbursed $17,000 after an investigation
by the Fair Work Ombudsman found she was underpaid.
The health industry worker, located in a regional area west of Rockhampton,
lodged a complaint after she left her job but was not paid for accrued time-off.
The employer had also not paid her for some hours worked.
After Fair Work inspectors contacted her employer, the woman was promptly
reimbursed without the need for further action against the employer.
The recovery is one of a number of cases finalised recently on behalf of workers
in Central Queensland.
Inspectors discovered the underpayments through a combination of routine audits
and investigations into complaints from workers.
They include:
$3800 for a retail worker near Gladstone underpaid annual leave
entitlements and weekend, public holiday and overtime penalty rates,
$3700 for a Bundaberg apprentice mechanic underpaid the minimum hourly
rate,
$1700 for a Rockhampton trainee in the automotive industry underpaid the
minimum hourly rate,
$1532 for a Bundaberg truck driver underpaid penalty rates for early
morning work, and
$683 for a Rockhampton apprentice in the hospitality industry underpaid the
minimum hourly rate and annual leave entitlements.
Fair Work Ombudsman Queensland Director Julie Wade says most of the
underpayments resulted from of a lack of understanding by employers of their
legal obligations, including applicable Awards and pay-scales.
“That’s why the Fair Work Ombudsman places such a strong focus on educating
employers and assisting them to understand and comply with workplace laws,”
she said.
Ms Wade says in most cases, the Fair Work Ombudsman does not prosecute
employers for inadvertent breaches of workplace laws.
… 2
Fair Work Infoline: 13 13 94
2
“However, employers need to be aware that they can face fines of up $33,000 per
breach if we do take matters to court,” she said.
“Most of the $70 million we have recovered for 54,000 workers throughout
Australia over the past two years has been recouped without resorting to
litigation.”
Ms Wade says employers or employees seeking up-to-date information on wage
rates and conditions should visit or contact the Fair Work Infoline on 13 13 94.
Translations are available by calling 13 14 50.
“The Fair Work Ombudsman’s website also includes information and templates to
help employers better manage employment records and payslips,” she said.
“Employers need to be aware that under Commonwealth workplace laws they
must keep accurate time, wages, annual leave and other employment records
and issue sufficiently detailed payslips.”
Eleven Best Practice Guides have been developed by the Fair Work Ombudsman
to assist employers make better use of the provisions of the Fair Work Act and
better understand other aspects of workplace laws.
The new guides are on the website and cover work and family, consultation and
co-operation, individual flexibility arrangements, employing young workers,
gender pay equity, small business, workplace privacy, managing
underperformance, effective dispute resolution and improving workplace
productivity in bargaining.
The Fair Work Ombudsman promotes harmonious, productive and co-operative
workplaces. It also monitors compliance and investigates breaches of national
workplace laws.
NOTE: We are unable to identify individual businesses or provide additional
information about the cases listed.
Media inquiries:
Craig Bildstien, Director Media & Stakeholder Relations. 0419 818 484.
craig.bildstien@fwo.gov.au
Ryan Pedler, Senior Adviser Media & Stakeholder Relations. (03) 9954
2561, 0434 365 924. ryan.pedler@fwo.gov.au
NEWS 
