Fair Work Ombudsman
Citation: FWO-2022-03-08-sandwich-chefs-report-media-release
At a glance
- Penalty
- $182,596
- Employees affected
- 214
What happened
The Fair Work Ombudsman investigated 39 Sandwich Chefs franchise businesses across Victoria, NSW, South Australia, and Queensland. The investigation, conducted in 2020 and 2021, followed concerns about underpayments and record-keeping issues. Inspectors found 32 of the 39 businesses (82%) were non-compliant. A total of 214 workers were affected, with $182,596 in unpaid wages recovered. The most common issues were underpayment of minimum hourly rates, failure to pay weekend penalty rates, and inadequate record-keeping.
What was decided
The Fair Work Ombudsman recovered $182,596 in unpaid wages for 214 workers. Inspectors issued 32 Compliance Notices to 26 businesses, and 18 Infringement Notices were issued for record-keeping and payslip breaches, resulting in $15,330 in fines. Three contravention letters and two formal cautions were also issued. The Fair Work Ombudsman highlighted the high rate of non-compliance within the franchise sector and warned of further enforcement action for future breaches. Resources and advice are available for employers.
What it means for employers
Employers, particularly those operating franchises, must ensure they comply with all workplace laws, including minimum wage rates and penalty rates. Maintaining accurate employee records and providing correct payslips is also essential. The Fair Work Ombudsman is actively monitoring the fast food, restaurant, and café sector and will take enforcement action against non-compliant businesses.
What it means for employees
Employees should be aware of their workplace rights and entitlements, including minimum wage rates and penalty rates. If you suspect you have been underpaid or your employer has not kept proper records, contact the Fair Work Infoline or report the issue anonymously.
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-2022/20220308-sandwich-chefs-report-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 →