FWO secures first accessorial liability penalties against an accounting firm

The Fair Work Ombudsman has for the first time used accessorial liability laws to obtain penalties against a professional services firm for knowingly helping one of its clients exploit a vulnerable worker.

HR manager among those penalised almost $400,000 for “systematic” exploitation at restaurant

The Fair Work Ombudsman has secured almost $400,000 in penalties against a company and three individuals – including an HR manager – for systematically exploiting overseas workers at a Chinese restaurant in NSW and fabricating records to try to cover it up.

FWO alleges contempt of court for first time

The Fair Work Ombudsman has alleged contempt of court by a Northern Queensland business operator by contravening a freezing order that applies to funds in his company’s accounts.

Hobart restaurant operator allegedly underpaid vulnerable international students

The former operator of a Tasmanian restaurant is facing Court for allegedly underpaying vulnerable workers, despite having been put on notice to pay minimum wage rates.

More than $150,000 in penalties for “deliberate” underpayment of café and deli staff

The former operators of a café and a delicatessen in Western Australia’s South-West have been penalised more than $150,000 for deliberately underpaying employees, after eight workers were found to have been short-changed a total of $20,036.

Sham contracting arrangement results in penalty for Melbourne bike courier service

The Fair Work Ombudsman has secured a total of $72,000 in penalties against two companies after deliberate sham contracting activity resulted in a bicycle courier in Melbourne being underpaid more than $7000.

New tools empower young workers to stand up for their workplace rights

Young workers and apprentices will be better equipped to stand up for their rights in the workplace with new resources released today through a partnership between the Fair Work Ombudsman and the Foundation for Young Australians.

Higher compliance rates but still cause for concern in Healthcare sector

The Fair Work Ombudsman’s National Healthcare and Social Assistance campaign has recovered more than $100,000 for 193 workers across the industry.

Gippsland workers back-paid more than $21,000

Twenty one workers across Victoria’s Gippsland region have been back-paid more than $21,000 in wages and entitlements after intervention by the Fair Work Ombudsman.

Multi-tasking backpacker back-paid more than $18,800

A backpacker who worked as a restaurant manager, chef, waiter and bookkeeper at a restaurant in Hobart has been back-paid $18,812 in outstanding wages and entitlements.