Underpaid for 15 years

After almost 15 years of being underpaid, a Surfers Paradise retail manager has received $34,600 owed by his previous employer.

The manager was underpaid annual leave entitlements and penalty rates between 1998 and 2012, and lodged a complaint with the Fair Work Ombudsman after leaving the business.

Fair Work Ombudsman Nicholas Wilson said it was important employers understood their obligations to ensure staff were paid correctly the first time around.

“Even a small error, if left unchecked for a long period, can lead to a significant underpayment, as occurred in this case,” Mr Wilson said.
“That's why it's important that employers understand their obligations so they can ensure they get it right the first time around.”

Other recent investigations on the Gold Coast have recovered $6900 for a Southport retail manager, while an apprentice hairdresser received $6600 in back-pay.

The Fair Work Ombudsman recovered $8.6 million in back-pay last year for 4906 Queensland workers.

Mr Wilson said employers usually co-operated with the ombudsman and gave the employees what they were owed with minimal hassle.

“When we find mistakes, we're here to assist and give practical advice to employers on how to voluntarily resolve issues and in the overwhelming majority of cases, that's what occurs,” he said.