Gawler’s Pure Bliss Spa & Beauty operators allegedly underpaid casual employee

The owners of a Gawler hair and beauty salon are set to appear in court after allegedly failing to pay a casual worker their proper wages.

Operators of Pure Bliss Spa & Beauty in Phoenix Plaza, Gawler East, are accused of underpaying a casual staff member. Picture: Facebook.

A beauty salon north of Adelaide is facing court after an underpaid casual worker requested help from the Fair Work Ombudsman – and the trustees were issued a compliance notice.

Pure Bliss Spa & Beauty operators Frances and Rocco Fimmano are facing prosecution over alleged underpaid wages and Saturday penalty rates of workers under the age of 25.

A regulator investigated the Gawler East salon after receiving a request from a casual beauty therapist employed between February 2021 and March 2022.

The Ombudsman directed the couple to calculate and backpay the worker’s entitlements in December 2022 via a compliance notice.

Mr and Ms Fimmano operated the salon as co-trustees for the R & R River Trust. Picture: Facebook.

The Ombudsman alleges Mr and Ms Fimmano, without reasonable excuse, failed to comply with the notice.

Penalties to the sum of $8250 each are being sought against the co-trustees for the alleged failure to comply and a court order to rectify the underpayments, with interest and superannuation.

Fair Work Ombudsman Anna Booth said the regulator would continue to enforce workplace laws and take businesses to court where lawful requests are not complied with.

“Where employers do not comply, we will take appropriate action to protect employees. A court can order a business to pay penalties in addition to back-paying workers,” Ms Booth said.

“Employers also need to be aware that taking action to protect young workers is among our top priorities.

“Any employees with concerns about their pay or entitlements should contact the Fair Work Ombudsman for free assistance.”

Mr and Ms Fimmano are expected to appear in court in May this year.