Fair Work inspectors regularly carry out surprise audits, particularly in the fast food and cafe sector
Surprise audits of 17 Top Juice outlets have been carried by the Fair Work Ombudsman (FWO) in Victoria, New South Wales, Queensland and the ACT to check compliance with Australia’s workplace laws.
The inspectors were acting in response to anonymous reports and requests for assistance from Top Juice employees, which indicated the outlets may be breaching the Fair Work Act.
Allegations include the underpayment of staff, failing to provide work breaks, not providing proper payslips or incorrect information detailed on the pay slips, and not paying termination entitlements.
Fair Work Inspectors were on the ground at the stores, reviewing employment records and speaking with Top Juice staff and management about employment entitlements and record keeping processes.
Ombudsman Sandra Parker reminded employers that inspectors regularly carried out surprise audits, particularly in the fast food, restaurant and cafe sector.
“Our intelligence indicates that high numbers of migrant workers, international students and young people are employed at Top Juice outlets, who may be unaware of their workplace rights or unable to speak up due to concerns about their visa status,” said Parker.
“Our inspectors are on the ground to gather further information about Top Juice’s operations and determine if there are any breaches of workplace laws. “Our priority is to ensure that all staff are receiving the wages and entitlements they are provided under the law.
“All workers in Australia have the same rights at work and we encourage workers with concerns about their pay to get in touch with the FWO.”
Improving workplace law compliance in the hospitality industry is a priority for the FWO.
While only accounting for 7% of the labour force, the industry accounted for 17% of all disputes the FWO assisted with and 36% of all anonymous reports we received in the last financial year.
