A finance and mortgage-broking company in Sydney, First Step Finance Pty Ltd, has been hit with $117,190 in penalties after failing to pay three workers their entitlements and knowingly providing false or misleading pay slips.
The Federal Circuit and Family Court fined the company $97,710, with an additional $19,480 penalty for the company’s sole director, David Brian Ward, for their breaches of the Fair Work Act.
Despite multiple Compliance Notices from the Fair Work Ombudsman (FWO), the company did not back-pay the affected workers, who were employed in management roles, and issued misleading pay slips.
The FWO, after investigating worker complaints, took the company to court. The judge emphasized that penalties are necessary to deter future violations by the company and others.
Fair Work Ombudsman Anna Booth warned that businesses failing to comply with Compliance Notices will face serious legal consequences, in addition to repaying any outstanding entitlements.
If you have concerns about your pay, reach out to the FWO for free advice and assistance.
#WorkplaceRights #FairWork #EmployeeEntitlements #Compliance
