Pizza Hut workers shortchanged

BY JESSICA ROUSE

A Pizza Hut franchise in Newcastle has been caught out for underpaying staff.

Fair Work has found the Hunter Street outlet underpaid 24 workers including international staff $20,000 over a six month period.

The employees were casuals and all aged between 16 and 20 years. Four of the workers were underpaid more than $3,000, with one employee underpaid nearly $4,800.

Pizza Hut is being slammed by the Fair Work Ombudsman for failing to take action over the underpayment of its staff. It's not the first time, ombudsman Natalie James says they've been working with the fast food chain as a whole on a range of issues.

"We've been talking about the fact that 28 out of 32 of the stores we audited recently were not correctly paying their delivery drivers and now we're seeing vulnerable in-store staff also being underpaid."

She believes there also needs to be more transparency.

"Certainly we'd like a meaningful commitment from Pizza Hut to step up, to work with us with a transparent arrangement that is designed to ensure that every worker serving us pizzas, delivering those pizzas from Pizza Hut are being paid correctly."

Image foursquare.com

Fair Work Ombudsman takes action against Fletcher sushi operator

BY JARROD MELMETH

The Fair Work Ombudsman has commenced legal action against a number of Tokyo Sushi outlets, including the one at Fletcher, for allegedly underpaying seven workers more than $22,000 between January and September 2016.

Facing the Federal Circuit Court is Kiyoshi Hasegawa, who is involved in operating a number of Tokyo Sushi outlets in NSW and was allegedly involved in underpaying a total of 31 workers engaged across three outlets in the Newcastle and Central Coast regions. 

Inspectors allege during an audit of the Fletcher outlet as part of a routine proactive compliance activity, 15 workers were found to be underpaid a total of $22,567.

It is not the first time a Tokyo Sushi outlet in the Hunter has shortchanged staff, with one former employee telling 2NURFM they have allegedly been underpaid thousands of dollars.

Fair Work Ombudsman Natalie James alleges that many of the underpaid employees were more vulnerable to exploitation in the workplace with seven employees at the Fletcher store were allegedly aged between 16 and 20.

“Employers should be aware that we treat the underpayment of young and overseas workers particularly seriously.

“Young workers and workers from migrant backgrounds can be more vulnerable to exploitation as they are often reluctant to complain or are less aware of their rights.

“My agency is committed to sending a message to all business operators that anyone who attempts to capitalise on these vulnerabilities can expect to face serious enforcement action,” Ms James said.

Image source: Tripadvisor

Fish and Chip Shop Workers Underpaid $40k

BY BRIDGET GUNN

The employees at two fish and chip shops in Newcastle and Charlestown have been promised back pay totaling almost $40,000.

A total of 21 employees were out of pocket, and the period of underpayment spanned more than a year.

Fair Work inspectors audited the businesses last year after receiving requests for assistance from employees.

Tools to assist employers to comply with workplace laws are available at www.fairwork.gov.au.

Employers and workers can also call the Fair Work Infoline on 13 13 94 to obtain free advice and assistance.

Source: www.fairwork.gov.au