Mantle Group found by Fair Work Commission to have ‘systematically ripped’ off young workers

A former employee ripped off by Brisbane hospitality giant Mantle Group hopes others will feel brave enough to come forward in wake of the Fair Work Commission’s decision to force the company to pay back its workers.

Henry Thom was one of many former employees who were undercut by Mantle Group Hospitality through an “archaic” zombie agreement contract (Image/Josh Woning)

A former employee ripped off by Brisbane hospitality giant Mantle Group hopes others will feel brave enough to come forward in wake of the Fair Work Commission’s decision to force the company to pay back its workers.

Henry Thom was one of many former employees who were undercut by Mantle Group Hospitality through an “archaic” zombie agreement contract, which stripped them of penalty rates.

Mr Thom, who has helped advocate for former Mantle employees, said the Fair Work Commission’s decision was a huge win.

“Everyone’s been so happy about the news,” he said.

“It’s crazy to hear, we didn’t know how long this would go for, but it’s great.”

Mr Thom was a casual duty manager at Jimmy’s on the Mall before he took on the company with another former employee, Alex Knott, last year over their ­arrangements.

The pair worked to overturn the 22-year-old workplace “zombie agreement”, which meant staff weren’t ­entitled to overtime, weekend rates or public holiday ­penalties.

Jimmy’s on the Mall in Brisbane’s Queen Street Mall is part of the Mantle empire. Picture: David Clark

They were successful, with the Fair Work Commissioner ordering in May that the agreement be terminated.

And on Thursday, the Fair Work Commissioner took the next step in ordering the company pay back employees who were affected.

Mr Thom said that all they ever wanted was to be treated like every other hospitality worker.

“We all want fairness, and we all want to be valued, that’s why we have these laws in Australia,” he said.

“They really undermined our value, and we know what was better for ourselves.”

While the exact refund ­figure was still up in the air, Mr Thom said he wasn’t in it for the money.

“I’m just here for everyone else,” he said.

“I want people to know they shouldn’t be afraid of taking one step forward and speaking out. I can’t be any worse than doing nothing.”