The Fair Work Ombudsman has pursued legal action in court against the former director of two companies that operated venues in Melbourne’s inner east.
Barry Gold, the sole director of Goldream Pty Ltd. (operator of Tall Timber in Prahran) and Plush Bear Pty Ltd. (operator of Friends of Mine in Richmond), received a penalty of $6,300 for his involvement with the non-compliance of the Fair Work Act.
The Ombudsman investigated the companies in an audit of Melbourne food destinations conducted in 2018.
A compliance notice was soon issued in the following year after it was believed workers were underpaid between December 2017 and June 2018.
Casual employees were paid flat rates that resulted in underpaid entitlements to casual loading, overtime rates, minimum wages for standard work hours in addition to weekend and public holiday penalties.
Plushbear formerly operated Tall Timber in Prahan and Goldream were known for Friends of Mine, both companies have now gone into liquidation.
Image Credit: A Taste of Travel blog