Queensland potato farm penalised for unlawfully deducting visa workers’ pay

The Fair Work Ombudsman has secured $48,500 in penalties against a Queensland labour hire business and sweet potato farm, and its sole director, for unlawfully docking pay from migrant employees, including for breaching its alcohol policy.

Sydney childcare centre operators penalised

The Fair Work Ombudsman has secured $34,650 in penalties in court against the operators of a childcare centre in western Sydney, with a judge criticising the operators for their serious and deliberate disregard for their obligations under the Fair Work Act.

Newcastle dumpling restaurant operators penalised

The Fair Work Ombudsman has secured $10,479 in penalties in court against the operators of a dumpling restaurant in Newcastle for a breach affecting vulnerable migrant workers, including young international students.

Former United Petroleum outlet operators penalised

The Fair Work Ombudsman has secured $38,500 in penalties in court against the former operators of a United Petroleum outlet in South Australia for breaches including staff underpayments.

Sydney businesses targeted for FWO and Border Force inspections

The Fair Work Ombudsman and Australian Border Force (ABF) officers from the Department of Home Affairs have made surprise inspections this week of Sydney businesses employing migrant workers.

Glass repair business operators penalised $116,550

The Fair Work Ombudsman has secured a penalty for a second time against the operator of a Queensland glass glazing company, including this time for failing to comply with Compliance Notices that impacted four workers.

Melbourne cosmetic clinic operators penalised

The Fair Work Ombudsman has secured $28,195 in penalties in court against the operators of a cosmetics clinic in Melbourne.

Cooking the books? Darwin food businesses under investigation

This week the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) and Fair Work Ombudsman (FWO) joined forces to conduct a series of surprise visits to food sector and hospitality businesses in Darwin. The visits related to suspected shadow economy activities including worker exploitation and alcohol excise avoidance.

Small business employees now have the right to disconnect

The right to disconnect and the ‘employee choice pathway’ from casual to permanent employment both begin for small business employees today, 26 August.

Former United Petroleum outlet operator penalised

The Fair Work Ombudsman has secured a $15,984 penalty in court against the former operator of a United Petroleum outlet in Brisbane after he provided an inspector with falsified records.