16 December 2022

The Fair Work Ombudsman has secured a total of $36,000 in court penalties against a company that formerly created leads for investment properties, and its director.

The Federal Circuit and Family Court has imposed a $30,000 penalty against Core Strategies Pty Ltd, which previously operated a call centre in Southport, and a $6,000 penalty against the company’s former sole director Stephen Thomas.

The penalties were imposed in response to Core Strategies failing to comply with a Compliance Notice requiring it to calculate and back-pay entitlements to a call centre worker who had been employed by the company between February and August 2020. Mr Thomas was involved in the contravention.

The Court has also ordered the company to comply with the Compliance Notice, which includes back-paying the worker in full, plus superannuation and interest.

Fair Work Ombudsman Sandra Parker said business operators that fail to act on Compliance Notices need to be aware they can face penalties in court 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 FWO investigated after receiving a request for assistance from the affected worker.

A Fair Work Inspector issued a Compliance Notice to Core Strategies in March 2021 after forming a belief that the worker had been underpaid JobKeeper entitlements, accrued but untaken annual leave entitlements and payment-in-lieu-of-notice of termination under the Fair Work Act’s National Employment Standards.

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.

Small businesses can find targeted resources at the Small Business Showcase.