Fair Work Infoline: 13 13 94
Media Release
13 Jan 2010
Hair and Beauty campaign recoups $55,000 for
salon staff in Queensland
One hundred and six hairdressing and beauty salon employees in Queensland are
to be reimbursed a total of $55,000 after investigations by the Fair Work
Ombudsman found they were underpaid.
Fair Work inspectors have randomly scrutinised the books of 123 hair and beauty
salons throughout Queensland as part of an Australia-wide campaign.
Nationally, the campaign identified:
223 employees who had been underpaid a total of $140,000,
Some workers being paid in foreign currency,
Unlawful deductions being made from workers’ pay packets for purchases
of hair and beauty products,
Apprentices being sacked on the basis of a downturn in work,
Some businesses relying on salon appointment books as employment
records for staff, and
Non-payment of correct shift, weekend and public holiday rates.
In Queensland, the Fair Work Ombudsman found 36 of the 123 businesses
audited to be non-compliant with federal workplace laws. Three investigations
remain outstanding.
Inspectors in Queensland found several concerning practices, including the
sacking of apprentices on the basis of a downturn in work and the payment of
employees in foreign currency.
Acting Fair Work Ombudsman Natalie James says the industry was targeted
because of the large number of complaints it was generating.
Three salons alone were found to have underpaid 11 staff more than $86,000.
“We are mindful that this is an industry which employs large numbers of young
females and a significant number of apprentices,” she said.
In the latest campaign, inspectors have checked the books of 330 salons
throughout Australia and found 130 of them - 39 per cent - to be non-compliant.
Of these, 78 had minor breaches relating to payslips and time-and-wages records
and 52 recorded monetary contraventions.
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Fair Work Infoline: 13 13 94
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In addition to the Queensland recoveries, the campaign will also recoup $31,000
for 29 workers in NSW and the ACT, $23,000 for 20 workers in Victoria, $14,500
for 26 workers in SA, $7000 for 21 workers in the NT, $7000 for 15 workers in
Tasmania and $2000 for six workers in WA.
Ms James says her Agency wrote to more than 2000 employers nationally to alert
them to the campaign and provide information about resources available to assist
them to comply with workplace laws.
Those randomly selected for audit were asked to provide time and wage records
and other information for a specified two-week period, including a public holiday,
so inspectors could assess whether or not they were compliant.
“If we found a minor contravention that did not disadvantage an employee, then
we asked the employer to complete a compliance commitment form and to
voluntarily rectify the issue,” Ms James said.
“Where we found a more serious breach, we asked the employer to undertake an
audit of all employees and to rectify any underpayments.
“In some cases, if employers were not willing to voluntarily resolve the issue or if
the contravention was blatant, we have escalated the audit to full investigation.”
Ms James said 32 employers nationally remained under investigation and did not
rule out the possibility of legal action in some cases.
She said the campaign findings highlighted the need for the Fair Work
Ombudsman to continue to provide education and advice to the hair and beauty
industry and to monitor and enforce compliance.
In 2008, a State-wide campaign targeting the hair and beauty sector in Western
Australia recouped $40,000 in underpayments for 34 salon employees.
And in July last year, a campaign focused on the hair and beauty industry in
Victoria’s Gippsland region recovered $7300 for 11 staff. Eighty per cent of 56
businesses selected passed the audit checks. Gippsland was not part of the latest
campaign.
Employers or employees seeking assistance should contact the Fair Work Infoline
Media inquiries:
Craig Bildstien, Director Media & Stakeholder Relations 0419 818 484 Email:
craig.bildstien@fwo.gov.au
Ryan Pedler: Mob: 0434 365 924; Email: ryan.pedler@fwo.gov.au
NEWS 
