Pay payback

A YOUNG Narre Warren labourer has received $9680 in lost wages after a Fair Work Ombudsman investigation.
The case is one of many recently finalised on behalf of workers in Melbourne’s south-east suburbs.
Fair Work Ombudsman executive director Michael Campbell said many underpayments were the result 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,” he said.
Mr Campbell said in most cases, the Fair Work Ombudsman did not prosecute employers for inadvertent breaches of workplace laws but said employers needed to be aware that they could face fines of up to $33,000 per breach if matters were taken to court.
Employers and employees seeking up-to-date information on wage rates and conditions can visit www.fwo.gov.au or contact the Fair Work Infoline on 13 13 94. Translations are available by calling 13 14 50.
Eleven Best Practice 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 under performance, effective dispute resolution and improving workplace productivity in bargaining.
Fair Work Ombudsman can not release the name of the labourer or details surrounding the case.