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.

Melbourne adult retail store penalised

The Fair Work Ombudsman has secured $22,536 in penalties in court against the operators of an adult retail store in Melbourne.

Chinese language school penalised

The Fair Work Ombudsman has secured $14,145 in penalties in court against a weekend community Chinese language school in Melbourne and its former volunteer chairperson.

Migrant worker allegedly left with zero wages by employer’s unlawful cashback scheme

The Fair Work Ombudsman has commenced legal action against a Sydney accounting and financial services company and its owner-operator after they allegedly required a migrant worker to pay them amounts that covered her whole wage as part of an unlawful cashback scheme.

FWO’s disability support services Inquiry to build culture of compliance

The Fair Work Ombudsman has today launched an Inquiry into compliance with workplace laws in the disability support services sector.

Canberra electrical contracting business faces court

The Fair Work Ombudsman has commenced legal action against a Canberra-based electrical contracting business and its director.

Former Western Sydney café operators face court

The Fair Work Ombudsman has commenced legal action against the former operators of a café in Western Sydney for an alleged breach that impacted two migrant workers.

“Defiant” Perth IT company receives maximum available penalty

The Fair Work Ombudsman has secured the maximum available penalty in court against an IT company in Perth, with a judge criticising the company for deliberate defiance.