Fair Work Infoline: 13 13 94
Media Release
29 Oct 2010
National hotel chain back-pays workers $53,000
A national hotel chain with more than 30 hotels and resorts across Australia has
reimbursed 165 of its workers a total of $53,000 after an investigation by the Fair Work
Ombudsman found they were underpaid.
The hotel chain failed to implement its Collective Agreement within the required seven-day
period after it was approved.
The company took almost two months to implement the agreement.
After Fair Work inspectors contacted the company and explained its obligations, workers in
NSW, Vic, Qld, SA and WA were back-paid an average of $321 each.
Fair Work Ombudsman Executive Director Michael Campbell says that given the company
co-operated and swiftly rectified the matter, there will be no further action.
“We acknowledge that accidental breaches of workplace laws do and will occur,” he said.
“Our preference is to work with employers to educate them and help them voluntarily
rectify any non-compliance issues.”
Mr Campbell says that in most cases, the Fair Work Ombudsman does not prosecute
employers for inadvertent breaches of workplace laws.
The Fair Work Ombudsman has a number of tools and user-friendly resources on its
rates of pay.
Small to medium-sized businesses without human resources staff can also ensure they are
better equipped when hiring, managing and dismissing employees by using free template
employment documentation available online.
The ‘Industries’ section on the Fair Work Ombudsman’s website provides information
specifically tailored for employers and workers in the retail, cleaning, clerical, hair and
beauty, security and horticulture industries.
A series of Best Practice Guides have also 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 guides 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.
Employers or employees seeking assistance or further information can also contact the Fair
Work Infoline on 13 13 94 from 8am-6pm weekdays. For translations, call 13 14 50.
Note: We are unable to provide additional information on the case listed above.
Media inquiries:
Richard Honey, 0457 924 146, richard.honey@fwo.gov.au
NEWS 
