The Fair Work Ombudsman alleges a young worker is entitled to thousands in backpay from a former Corrimal restaurant. Photo: NiseriN.
A Fair Work investigation alleges a Corrimal restaurant ripped off a young worker almost $3000 in unpaid wages.
The Fair Work Ombudsman has taken legal action against the former operators of The Pantry at Corrimal for allegedly failing to pay a casual worker his minimum wages and penalty rates.
Amanda Hay and Suzanne Miller, who operated The Pantry at Corrimal as a partnership, closed the restaurant in 2024.
They will face Federal Court in Sydney after allegedly failing to repay the worker after directed to do so by the ombudsman.
The worker was employed by the pair from August-September 2022.
He asked the regulator for help recovering alleged unpaid wages, and following an investigation into the complaint, a Fair Work inspector issued a compliance notice to Ms Hay and Ms Miller in April 2023.
The Fair Work Ombudsman alleges Ms Hay and Ms Miller, without a reasonable excuse, failed to comply with the compliance notice, which required them to calculate and backpay the worker’s entitlements, which came to a total of $2788.
Although the worker received a partial payment, the ombudsman alleges $2,188 remains outstanding.
Fair Work Ombudsman Anna Booth said employers should expect to be taken to court if they didn’t uphold workplace laws.
“Where employers do not comply, we will take appropriate action to protect employees,” Ms Booth said.
“A court can order employers to pay penalties and make payments to workers.
“Improving compliance in the fast food, restaurant and cafe sector and protecting young workers are priorities for Fair Work.
“Any employees with concerns about their pay or entitlements should contact us for free advice and assistance.”
The ombudsman is also seeking penalties in court for the alleged failure to comply with the compliance notice.
The women each face a penalty of up to $8,250 in addition to an order requiring Ms Hay and Ms Miller to pay the alleged outstanding amount, plus interest.
A directions hearing is listed in the Federal Circuit and Family Court in Sydney on 8 August.
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