The Fair Work Ombudsman has taken legal action against 10 Foster Street Pty Ltd, the company behind the ‘George Elsissa’ wedding dress design studio and bridal boutique in Leichhardt, Sydney.
This legal move comes after complaints from four former employees, who worked in both full-time and part-time roles between June 2015 and September 2021. The Fair Work Ombudsman’s investigation revealed that these workers were allegedly not paid their accrued but untaken annual leave when they left the company, as required by the General Retail Industry Award 2020 and the Fair Work Act’s National Employment Standards.
Additionally, one employee was reportedly not paid their due payment in lieu of notice when their employment ended.
In May 2022, a Fair Work Inspector issued a Compliance Notice to 10 Foster Street, demanding the company calculate and back-pay the owed entitlements, which totaled $21,604. Despite this notice, the company allegedly failed to comply without a reasonable excuse.
Two of the affected employees were young workers, aged 23 to 25 during their employment, which highlights the Ombudsman’s focus on protecting younger, often more vulnerable workers.
Fair Work Ombudsman Anna Booth stated, “We are committed to enforcing workplace laws and will take businesses to court if they fail to meet their obligations. Protecting young workers remains a top priority for us.”
The Ombudsman is now seeking penalties against 10 Foster Street Pty Ltd, with potential fines of up to $33,300 for not complying with the Compliance Notice.
Employers are reminded that failure to comply with Fair Work regulations can lead to significant legal consequences. Employees who are concerned about their pay or entitlements are encouraged to contact the Fair Work Ombudsman for assistance.
