Fair Work Ombudsman
Citation: FWO-2025-01-07-10-foster-street-penalty-media-release
At a glance
- Respondent
- 10 Foster Street Pty Ltd
- Penalty
- $51,604
- Employees affected
- 4
- Awards cited
- MA000173
What happened
The Fair Work Ombudsman secured court orders against 10 Foster Street Pty Ltd, a Sydney-based wedding dress design and retail company. The company failed to comply with a Compliance Notice regarding unpaid entitlements to four workers employed between June 2015 and September 2021. Two of the workers were aged 23 to 25. The workers held roles including administration and marketing, pattern maker, draper, and design-and-sales assistant. The Fair Work Ombudsman investigated after receiving requests for assistance from the affected workers.
What was decided
The Federal Circuit and Family Court imposed a $30,000 penalty against 10 Foster Street Pty Ltd for failing to comply with the Compliance Notice. The company was also ordered to back-pay $21,604 in outstanding entitlements, plus superannuation and interest. Fair Work Ombudsman Anna Booth stated that failing to act on Compliance Notices can result in substantial penalties. The Compliance Notice related to unpaid annual leave and payment-in-lieu-of-notice.
What it means for employers
Employers must comply with Compliance Notices issued by the Fair Work Ombudsman. Failure to do so can result in significant penalties and back-pay orders. Employers should be particularly aware of their obligations to young workers.
What it means for employees
Employees who have concerns about their pay or entitlements should contact the Fair Work Ombudsman for free advice and assistance. The Fair Work Ombudsman provides resources and courses for employers, managers, and employees to understand workplace rights and obligations.
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This summary was drafted 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