30 October 2009

$25,000 back-pay for Riverland workers

Dozens of petrol station workers – most in the Riverland – have been back-paid thousands of dollars after the national pay protector found they had been inadvertently short-changed.

Forty-two former console operators, including four under the age of 21, have been reimbursed a total of $25,300 - an average of $600 each.

They worked in a number of centres, including Renmark and Berri.

The underpayments came to light after their former employer – which no longer operates the service stations – agreed to conduct an internal audit following four complaints to the Fair Work Ombudsman.

Inspectors found the four workers had been underpaid their minimum hourly rate and weekend penalty rates.

Fair Work Ombudsman SA director Carey Trundle says the problem arose because the employer was paying under the incorrect Award.

Ms Trundle says the company was asked to review its employment records for all staff and calculate the back-payments which needed to be made.

She says that as the employer fully co-operated, voluntarily rectified the matter and had no previous breaches of workplace law, no further action would be taken.

“This case does highlight the importance of employers regularly contacting our Fair Work Infoline on 13 13 94 to ensure they have the most up-to-date information on wage rates and conditions applying to their workers,” Ms Trundle said.

Information, including Best Practice Guides aimed at creating better workplaces, is also available from the website at www.fwo.gov.au.

The Fair Work Ombudsman promotes harmonious, productive and co-operative workplaces. It also monitors compliance with and investigates breaches of national workplace laws.

Media inquiries:

Craig Bildstien, Director Media & Stakeholder Relations,
0419 818 484
craig.bildstien@fwo.gov.au

Ryan Pedler, Media & Stakeholder Relations Senior Adviser
(03) 9954 2561, 0434 365 924
ryan.pedler@fwo.gov.au