A Tasmanian restaurant is repaying 130 staff a total of $22,228 in wage entitlements after it was discovered they were being incorrectly paid.

One of the establishment’s staff members believed she was being under paid, and took her concerns to the Fair Work Ombudsman who then conducted an audit of the premises.

Fair Work Ombudsman executive director, Michael Campbell, said the woman came forward concerned that she was not receiving penalty rates for shift work.

Inspectors discovered the woman, a casual employee, was receiving $15.60 an hour, when she should have been getting $17.17 (the adult minimum wage of $14.31 plus a 20 per cent loading). She was owed $68.59 for the short period she had been employed.

The employer was asked to review the employment records of all staff or face a formal investigation and potential legal action.

Campbell said the restaurant owner was upset to learn he had been underpaying the worker, as he had engaged an industrial relations consultant to frame his staff collective agreement, the employer voluntarily undertook repaying their staff the unpaid wages.

The case highlights the importance of young workers who are concerned about their entitlements to come forward to seek information and assistance from the Fair Work Ombudsman, said Campbell.

“We take all complaints very seriously and will investigate every matter thoroughly to ensure the workplace rights of employees are upheld,” he said.

Workers and employers alike can contact the FWO Infoline on 13 13 94 or visit www.fwo.gov.au for assistance.