The workplace watchdog’s recovery of backpay has hit the highest level in its history, mostly the result of major corporate underpayments.
The workplace watchdog recovered more than $532 million in unpaid wages in the past financial year, the highest in its history and mostly the result of major corporate underpayments.
Fair Work Ombudsman Sandra Parker has been focusing on large corporate underpayments since she was appointed for a five-year term in 2018.The jump, announced on Monday, marks the watchdog’s increased focus on multimillion-dollar underpayments by large employers. FWO deputy in policy and communication Kristen Hannah, speaking on behalf of ombudsman Sandra Parker, said the record result followed the agency writing to all chief executives and boards of the top 100 listed companies in 2020 to urge payment checks.“This is the result of the sustained hard work that our agency has done to create an environment that encourages large corporates to prioritise compliance,” Ms Hannah said.the lead in setting a culture of compliance in their companies.
The investigations included some of Australia’s largest companies and had expanded to include universities and not-for-profits.The cases included one alleging the Commonwealth Bank knowingly underpaid 7000 employees $16 million by getting them to sign individual agreements that undercut union deals.It also has a test case against Woolworths, launched in June 2021, that could involve its $571 million underpayment bill blow out even further.
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