Ombudsman gets money back for underpaid workers

THE Fair Work Ombudsman has recovered $64,334 for 36 workers employed in the Great Ocean Road region.

Fair Work Ombudsman Natalie James said the workers’ employers have been placed on notice that future breaches of workplace laws will not be tolerated.

In one matter, $37,754 was recovered for 23 cleaners in Colac who were underpaid their shift and toilet cleaning allowances.

Under the Cleaning Services Award 2010, the full-time, part-time and casual employees received hourly rates of up to $23.08 for ordinary hours, up to $32.31 on Saturdays, up to $41.54 on Sundays and up to $50.77 on public holidays.

The employer was unaware that the cleaners were also entitled to a toilet cleaning allowance of up to $2.52 per shift to a maximum of $12.39 per week, which they did not receive.

The workers were also underpaid a penalty rate allowance of 15 per cent of the ordinary hourly rate for early morning shifts starting before 6am and afternoon shifts finishing after 6pm.

Other recent recoveries in the region include $8,209 for two casual labourers in Warrnambool who did not receive the appropriate pay rate for overtime hours, and $5,178 for a bricklaying apprentice in Warrnambool who was underpaid the applicable base hourly rates.

Ms James said many businesses were overconfident when it comes to the intricacies of Australia’s workplace laws and her agency will be taking an increasingly hard line with employers who cannot demonstrate that they made a diligent effort to understand their obligations.

“There has never been so much freely available information to assist employers to understand their workplace obligations. The time for excuses is over.

“We conduct follow-up audits of businesses previously found to be non-compliant to make sure they have changed their ways. Repeat offenders can expect to face enforcement action including potential litigation and significant court penalties.”

Employers and employees can visit fairwork.gov.au or call the Fair Work Infoline on 13 13 94 for free advice and assistance about their rights and obligations in the workplace. An interpreter service is available on 13 14 50.