Fair Work Ombudsman
Citation: FWO-2025-02-25-ella-group-2-litigation-media-release
At a glance
- Respondent
- The Ella Group
- Penalty
- $46,950
- Employees affected
- 1
- Awards cited
- MA000017
What happened
The Fair Work Ombudsman has commenced legal action against The Ella Group (NSW) Pty Ltd, which operates Funtime Childcare in Greenacre, NSW, and its sole director, Louise Ramona Yaacoubian. This follows a request for assistance from a young worker, aged 20 to 22, employed as an early childhood educator from April 2021 to May 2023. A Fair Work Inspector issued a Compliance Notice in December 2023 regarding alleged underpayment of minimum wages, overtime, and annual leave entitlements under the Children’s Services Award 2010. The company allegedly failed to comply with the notice, and a pay slip contravention is also alleged. This is the second legal action against the company and director.
What was decided
The Fair Work Ombudsman is seeking penalties against The Ella Group and Louise Ramona Yaacoubian for failing to comply with a Compliance Notice and for a pay slip contravention. The Ella Group faces a potential penalty of up to $46,950 for failing to comply with the notice, $93,900 for the pay slip contravention, and Ms Yaacoubian faces a penalty of up to $9,390. The Ombudsman also seeks a court order requiring the company to calculate and rectify any underpayments, plus superannuation and interest. A directions hearing is scheduled for February 26, 2025.
What it means for employers
Employers must comply with Compliance Notices issued by the Fair Work Ombudsman and provide accurate pay slips within one working day of each pay day. Taking action to protect young workers is a priority for the FWO. Failure to do so can result in significant penalties and court orders to rectify underpayments.
What it means for employees
Employees, particularly young workers, should contact the Fair Work Ombudsman for free assistance if they have concerns about their pay or entitlements. Pay slips provide clarity about pay, and employees should review them carefully.
Every statement above is drawn from the published decision. Read the original here:
https://www.fairwork.gov.au/newsroom/media-releases/2025-media-releases/february-2025/20250225-ella-group-2-litigation-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 →