ABM (AUS), Jay Parker accused of underpaying workers
A Sunshine Coast-based company, which has workers in Melbourne and Perth, and its director will face court after being accused of underpaying and withholding annual leave entitlements from several employees.
Police & Courts
Don't miss out on the headlines from Police & Courts. Followed categories will be added to My News.
A Sunshine Coast-based company and its sole director have been accused of underpaying and keeping annual leave entitlements from three workers after they raised concerns with Fair Work.
ABM (AUS) Pty Ltd, which is based on the Sunshine Coast but has locations across Australia, was accused of underpaying three of its workers in Melbourne and Perth after the employees reached out to the Fair Work Ombudsman between March and July in 2021.
Its sole director, Jay Parker, from Noosaville is also accused of wrongdoing.
It is alleged the workers – who worked full-time in customer service, sales and engineering roles – were underpaid minimum wages and did not have their left over annual leave paid out once they left the business. The workers are allegedly owed $14,689.
ABM was given a compliance notice in August 2022, directing the workers be paid their entitled backpay, but the Ombudsman alleges this was not done.
The company is also accused of not giving documents to a Fair Work inspector when told to do so.
ABM faces a fine of up to $33,300 and Mr Parker faces a fine of up to $6,660, but could face an additional $66,600 and $13,320, respectively, for contravening a direction to give documents to the Fair Work inspector.
The Ombudsman will also ask the court order ABM pay compensation for the alleged underpayment, plus interest.
Fair Work Ombudsman Anna Booth said workplace laws will continue to be enforced for businesses doing the wrong thing.
“A court can order a business to pay penalties in addition to back-paying workers,” she said.
“Any employees with concerns about their pay or entitlements should contact the Fair Work Ombudsman for free assistance.”
Mr Parker and ABM will face a hearing in the Federal Circuit and Family Court in Melbourne on June 11.
Student accused of having ‘knives, hit list’ and making kill threats
Police are patrolling a Sunshine Coast high school after a bathroom wall graffiti message threatening to stab students was uncovered, with claims the student also had knives and a hit list at school.
Read more
Juror dismissed in retrial against former music store owner
A juror has been dismissed on the third day of a retrial against the former owner of a popular Sunshine Coast music store who has been accused of historical child abuse allegations.
Read more