Stylush Hair & Beauty operator Sonja Leigh Gorman to face court

The owner of a Hervey Bay hairdressing salon could face fines of more than $8000 if she is convicted of failing to properly pay a vulnerable part-time employee.

Young female hairdresser sweeping the floors of a hair salon with a broom after a client's hair cut.

The operator of a Hervey Bay hair salon will face court in 2025 charged with failing to fairly pay a young worker.

The Fair Work Ombudsman has commenced legal action against the sole trader Sonja Leigh Gorman, who owns and operates Stylush Hair & Beauty in Point Vernon.

The regulator investigated after receiving a request for help from a 20-year-old worker who Ms Gorman employed part-time as a salon assistant in August-November 2022.

A Fair Work inspector issued a compliance notice to Ms Gorman in March 2023 after forming a belief she had not paid the worker any wages for 100 hours of work during her three-months employment there, a statement from the Ombudsman’s office read.

The inspector believed Ms Gorman had failed to pay the worker the owed minimum wages, personal and annual leave entitlements, and payment-in-lieu-of-notice at the end of employment entitlements.

The entitlements were allegedly owed under the Hair and Beauty Industry Awards 2010 and 2020 and the Fair Work Act’s National Employment Standards.

The Fair Work Ombudsman alleges Ms Gorman, without reasonable excuse, failed to comply with the compliance notice, which required her to calculate and back pay the worker’s entitlements.

It is alleged the amount Ms Gorman was required to pay to comply with the notice was $2854.

Facing court is sole trader Sonja Leigh Gorman, who owns and operates Stylush Hair & Beauty, in Point Vernon.

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.

“Employers need to be aware that taking action to protect vulnerable workers, such as young workers, is one of our top priorities,” Ms Booth said.

“Where employers do not comply with a compliance notice, we will take appropriate action to protect employees.

“A court can order a business to pay penalties and make payments to workers.

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

The FWO is seeking a penalty in court for the alleged failure to comply with the Compliance Notice.

Ms Gorman faces a penalty of up to $8250.

The regulator is also seeking an order for Ms Gorman to pay the amount allegedly owing to the worker, plus superannuation and interest.

A hearing is listed in the Federal Circuit and Family Court in Brisbane on May 2, 2025.

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