Workers repaid, but no action against employers - ABC Online

Posted March 19, 2013 07:38:41

Hunter employers are being warned to familiarise themselves with workplace laws as the industry watchdog returns tens of thousands of dollars to unpaid local workers.

It has been a busy time for the Fair Work Ombudsman in the Hunter as it investigated several cases of employees being underpaid in the region.

The complaints were mostly related to end of employment entitlements and saw $41,000 being returned to six employees, across a number of industries, including more than $16,000 to two Newcastle appliance retail workers and nearly $7,000 to a community worker.

A Fair Work Director, Kevin Donnellan says employers need to understand workplace laws or face the consequences.

"It does again underscore the need for employers to double check," he said.

"The Fair Work Ombudsman is here to help employers get that right."

He says the businesses involved are making sure the same mistakes do not happen again.

Mr Donnellan says he is glad there was no need to to resort to court action.

"In all these cases the employers have voluntarily rectified the underpayment to the workers when it's been pointed out to them, that's our preference.

" We like to work with employers to make sure they fix mistakes and put processes in place to make sure that they're getting it right in the future."

Topics: industrial-relations, newcastle-2300