Removalist business penalised
The Fair Work Ombudsman has secured a $29,500 penalty in court against a removalist and storage business in western Sydney.
The Federal Circuit and Family Court has imposed the penalty against Johns Removalist & Storage Pty Ltd, based at Bossley Park.
The penalty was imposed in response to Johns Removalist & Storage failing to comply with a Compliance Notice requiring the back-payment of entitlements to a worker employed at the business in a clerical role from November 2020 to January 2021.
The Court has also ordered Johns Removalist & Storage to take the action required by the Compliance Notice, which includes calculating and rectifying the alleged underpayment in full, plus interest and superannuation.
Fair Work Ombudsman Sandra Parker said business operators that fail to act on Compliance Notices need to be aware they can face court-imposed penalties on top of having to back-pay workers.
“When Compliance Notices are not followed, we are prepared to take legal action to ensure workers receive their lawful entitlements,” Ms Parker said.
“Any employees with concerns about their pay or entitlements should contact us for free advice and assistance.”
The regulator investigated after receiving a request for assistance from the affected worker.
A Fair Work Inspector issued a Compliance Notice to the company in May 2021 after forming a belief the employee had not been paid entitlements owed under the Clerks—Private Sector Award 2020 and the National Employment Standards.
The inspector formed a belief the worker did not receive any wages for part of her employment period, and was not paid her accrued but untaken annual leave entitlements at the end of her employment.
Employers and employees can visit www.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.
The website includes targeted resources for small businesses in the Small Business Showcase.
