Workers get back their dues

MORE than $30,000 has been paid back to workers in Casey after a recent intervention by the Fair Work Ombudsman.
The underpayments were included in more than $190,000 recovered to workers in Melbourne’s south and south-east suburbs.
Fair Work discovered the underpayments through a combination of routine audits and investigations into complaints from workers.
Common non-compliance issues encountered by inspectors include underpayment of workers’ minimum hourly rates, penalty rates and failure to pay full entitlements to workers on termination of their employment.
Some of the recoveries include $14,400 for a Hallam office manager not paid annual leave and long service leave, $9200 for a Hallam manager not paid annual leave entitlements on termination, $6400 for a Fountain Gate sales assistance underpaid the minimum hourly rate and annual leave entitlements and $5600 for a Narre Warren South real estate agent underpaid the minimum hourly rate.
Fair Work Ombudsman executive director Michael Campbell said there would be no further action against companies because employers co-operated with inspectors and voluntarily rectified their respective contraventions.
“Our preference is always to work with employers to educate them and help them voluntary rectify any non-compliance issues,” he said.
“However, employers need to regularly review their award or agreement to ensure they are fully aware of their obligations to their workers.”
Employers and Employees wanting more information and resources could visit the Fair Work Ombudsman website, www.fairwork.gov.au- or can contact the Fair Work Infoline on 13 13 94, from 8am until 6pm weekdays. For translation, call 13 14 50.