As Easter approaches, Minister for Industrial Relations Natalie Hutchins has urged Victorian workers to be vigilant about their holiday award rates, as per their contractual agreements with their employers.
The Fair Work Commission’s cuts to penalty rates, backed by the Turnbull Government, are yet to come into effect. That means that award rates remain the same.
In the meantime, anyone found to be underpaying staff runs the risk of being caught by the Fair Work Ombudsman.
Once the cuts come into force, workers in retail and pharmacy will have their Sunday rates cut from 200 per cent to 150 per cent, while those in hospitality will see a reduction from 175 per cent to 150 per cent. Fast-food workers will also see their award pay slashed from 150 per cent to 125 per cent.
In the wake of George Calombaris and the Made Establishment group underpaying staff $2.6 million in wages, there are public concerns about employees receiving what they are owed at work.
The Ombudsman was successful in recovering more than $1.2 million in underpaid wages during its three-year National Hospitality Industry Campaign.
Workers can use the Pay and Conditions Tool to find their award wage on the Ombudsman’s website at .
Quotes attributable to Minister for Industrial Relations Natalie Hutchins
“If you're one of the thousands of Victorians working shifts over Easter – make sure you're getting paid what you're owed.”
“The Turnbull Government backed cuts are not yet in force, so I'm urging employees and employers to stay vigilant.”
Reviewed 19 August 2020