The Fair Work Ombudsman has launched a prosecution against the operators of a Tasmanian hotel for allegedly underpaying two workers more than $8,500.

Lufra Investments, a Brisbane-based company which operates the Best Western Lufra Hotel at Eaglehawk Neck, east of Hobart, and Lufra Investments' managing director, John Shepley, are both facing court.

Documents lodged in the Federal Magistrates Court in Hobart allege the company failed to pay entitlements totalling $8,592 to two employees when they resigned in December 2007.

The workers were allegedly owed $4,296 in wages and superannuation for their final month of work and accrued annual leave entitlements.

It is alleged that Lufra Investments back-paid the workers most of the money owing in October 2009 but still owes them $300 each.

Fair Work Ombudsman Tasmanian director, Glenn Jordan, said the decision to prosecute was made because of the amounts involved for the individuals and the employer's delay in fully rectifying the matter. The maximum potential penalty per breach is $33,000 for Lufra Investments and $6,600 for Shepley.