Staff ripped off
By NOEL MURPHY
A PHARMACIST underpaid almost $14,000 was among 84 Geelong complaints to the Fair Work Ombudsman over the past six months, figures released to the Independent have revealed.
The Ombudsman recovered $18,767 from nine businesses for the same number of underpaid workers.
The Obudsman’s office said the pharmacist’s employer failed to pay him out for time worked, wages in lieu of notice and annual leave entitlements upon termination of employment last year.
Other cases included:
* A young apprentice plumber reimbursed $1900 for unpaid accrued rostered days off and annual leave entitlements on termination;
* A retail supervisor reimbursed $1200 for underpayment of annual leave entitlements on termination; and
* A retail assistant reimbursed $700 for unpaid hours worked last year.
The Ombudsman recoveed less than $700 for the remaining workers, including $80 for a kitchen-hand.
“We are confident these underpayments were the result of the employers’ lack of awareness of their obligations, rather than an attempt to avoid their responsibilities,” an Ombudsman’s spokesperson said.
“When we identify a problem and contact a business we find that most employers check their records, realise they have made a mistake and promptly rectify it.
“In all cases, Fair Work inspectors educated the employers on their responsibilities under workplace laws and the workers were back-paid in full without the need for further action.”
The spokesperson said inspectors were now auditing Geelong businesses in the cleaning, hospitality and bakery sectors.
“We realise it’s critical to strike the right balance between education and compliance responses if we’re to achieve our mandate of creating fair and productive workplaces – and ensuring a level playing field for business.”
