The Fair Work Ombudsman has secured court orders for a $3,780 penalty, plus more than $2,000 in back-pay, against a former operator of a Melbourne electrical services business.
The Federal Circuit and Family Court made the orders against Mr Luke Warren, the sole director of Pro Install Electrical Pty Ltd (In Liquidation) based in Rowville.
The penalty was imposed after Mr Warren admitted that he was involved in the company’s breach of the Fair Work Act through its failure to calculate entitlements owed to two former employees and back-pay any underpayment.
In addition to the penalty, Mr Warren was ordered to rectify the $2,037, including interest, owed to the two former workers.
Fair Work Ombudsman Sandra Parker said business operators that fail to act on Compliance Notices need to be aware they can face court-imposed penalties on top of having to back-pay workers.
“When Compliance Notices are not followed, we are prepared to take legal action to ensure workers receive their lawful entitlements,” Ms Parker said.
“Any employees with concerns about their pay or entitlements should contact us for free advice and assistance.”
The regulator investigated after receiving requests for assistance from former employees, including the two workers who had been engaged as a reception and administration assistant and an accounts payable and receivable officer respectively.
A Fair Work Inspector issued a Compliance Notice to the company in May 2020 after forming a belief it had failed to pay the two employees, after their employment ended, outstanding wages owed under the Clerks – Private Sector Award 2010.
One of the workers was engaged by the company between July 2019 and January 2020, and the other for a week in February 2020.
Mr Warren’s company, Pro Install Electrical Pty Ltd, was liquidated after the Fair Work Ombudsman commenced proceedings.
