Fair Work Ombudsman
Citation: FWO-2025-12-10-pether-and-rattana-penalty-media-release
At a glance
- Penalty
- $40,000
- Employees affected
- 2
What happened
Marsdon Pether, a sole trader operating FTP Construction, and his father Nat Rattana, have been penalised by the Federal Circuit and Family Court. This followed a Fair Work Ombudsman investigation into underpayment and pay slip breaches. Two apprentice carpenters were underpaid minimum wages, overtime, and training costs between May 2018 and December 2019. One worker was initially employed as a full-time labourer for two weeks. A Compliance Notice was issued in May 2022, which Mr. Pether failed to follow.
What was decided
The Court imposed penalties of $7,000 each on Marsdon Pether and Nat Rattana. Mr. Pether was also ordered to back-pay the two workers a total of $26,330.22, plus interest. The judge found the failure to issue pay slips was a serious breach. The court emphasized the importance of compliance and deterrence for employers in the building industry. The Fair Work Ombudsman recovered nearly $16.5 million in unpaid entitlements in the building and construction sector between November 2022 and June 2025.
What it means for employers
Employers, particularly in the building and construction sector, must comply with Compliance Notices. Failure to do so can result in significant court-imposed penalties and back-payment orders. Providing accurate pay slips to employees within one business day is a legal requirement. A robust compliance framework is essential to avoid legal action.
What it means for employees
Employees who believe they have been underpaid or are not receiving proper pay slips should contact the Fair Work Ombudsman for free assistance. Interpreter services are available.
Every statement above is drawn from the published decision. Read the original here:
https://www.fairwork.gov.au/newsroom/media-releases/2025-media-releases/december-2025/20251210-pether-and-rattana-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 →