Seven hospitality employees at a club in Moree Plains in northern NSW were shortchanged $10,700 over a 13 month period in 2015-2016.
The employees were paid the correct minimum hourly and weekend penalty rates under the Registered and Licensed Clubs Award, however the operator was not aware that under the Award, they were also entitled to penalty rates for evening, night and overtime work.
The club operator has back-paid the employees in full, including one employee owed $4,650. Inspectors also issued the business with a Letter of Caution, placing it on notice that subsequent contraventions could result in enforcement action.
Fair Work Ombudsman, Natalie James, said employers should periodically undertake their own checks of Award provisions to ensure they are meeting all employees’ minimum lawful entitlements.
“When we find inadvertent errors, our preference is to educate employers about their obligations and assist them to put processes in place to ensure the mistakes are not repeated,” James said.