The former operator of Bar Spritz at Kangaroo Point, Brisbane, is facing the Fair Work Ombudsman in court for failing to compensate an unfairly dismissed worker.
It’s alleged C & G Group Trading Pty and the company’s sole director and shareholder Giuseppe Virzi dismissed a barista who had been employed since 2017.
The Fair Work Commission found the worker was unfairly dismissed in September 2020 and ordered the company to pay the barista $5,096.15 in compensation plus $677.78 in superannuation entitlements within three weeks.
The worker did not receive the payments and submitted a request for assistance from the Ombudsman, leading to several attempts to secure voluntary compliance before commencing legal action.
The Fair Work Ombudsman is seeking a penalty against the company and the operator, with C & G Group Trading Pty Ltd facing up to $66,600 Virzi looking at a penalty of up to $13,320.
The Ombudsman will also seek a court order for the company to pay the outstanding compensation and superannuation owed to the worker plus interest.
“It is fundamental for the integrity of the workplace relations system that Fair Work Commission orders are complied with,” says Fair Work Ombudsman Sandra Parker.
“The Fair Work Ombudsman is clearly prepared to take legal action to ensure that employees receive compensation they are lawfully entitled to.”
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