Fair Work Ombudsman
Citation: FWO-2022-03-02-popovic-penalty-media-release
At a glance
- Penalty
- $4,500
- Employees affected
- 1
What happened
Mirjana Popovic, a sole trader operating Creative House Cairns in Cairns, failed to comply with a Compliance Notice. The Fair Work Ombudsman investigated after a worker requested assistance. The worker was employed full-time for about four weeks in January-February 2021, performing duties such as selling and picking flowers, and cleaning. A Fair Work Inspector issued a Compliance Notice in March 2021, believing the worker was underpaid minimum wages and annual leave entitlements.
What was decided
The Federal Circuit and Family Court imposed a penalty of $4,500 against Ms. Popovic. She was ordered to rectify the underpayment in full, including interest and superannuation, as required by the Compliance Notice. The Fair Work Ombudsman stated that businesses failing to act on Compliance Notices face penalties and back-payment obligations. Employees with pay concerns should contact the Fair Work Infoline.
What it means for employers
Employers must comply with Compliance Notices issued by the Fair Work Ombudsman. Failure to do so can result in court-imposed penalties and the obligation to back-pay entitlements, plus interest and superannuation. Ignoring Compliance Notices can lead to legal action.
What it means for employees
Employees who believe they have been underpaid or are concerned about their entitlements should contact the Fair Work Infoline for free advice and assistance. The Fair Work Ombudsman can investigate and enforce workplace rights.
Every statement above is drawn from the published decision. Read the original here:
https://www.fairwork.gov.au/newsroom/media-releases/2022-media-releases/march-2022/20220302-popovic-penalty-media-releaseWant more cases like this?
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This summary was drafted by AI from the published decision and reviewed before publishing. It is general information, not legal advice. For your specific situation, speak to the Fair Work Ombudsman (13 13 94) or a qualified lawyer. About these summaries & corrections →