Core Strategies gets massive fine after failing to pay worker correct entitlements

A Southport call centre has been left in hot water after being accused of not paying a worker their proper entitlements – including JobKeeper.

A Southport call centre is in hot water after it did not pay a worker their proper entitlements – including JobKeeper.

Core Strategies, which previously created investment property leads, was fined $30,000 and its director Stephen Thomas $6000 after the Fair Work Ombudsman took the company to the Federal Circuit and Family Court over unpaid back-pay for a call centre worker.

Core Strategies previously ran a call centre in Southport.

The fines were given after Core Strategies did not respond to a Compliance Notice which required it to calculate and back-pay entitlements to a call centre worker who was employed by the company between February and August 2020.

Mr Thomas was also involved in the failure.

The court also ordered the company to pay the worker back-pay, including superannuation and interest.

The Compliance Notice was issued to Core Strategies in March 2021 after a request for help from the call centre worker.

It was made after a Fair Work Inspector formed the belief the worker had been underpaid JobKeeper entitlements, accrued by untaken annual leave entitlements and payment-in-lieu-of-notice.

Fair Work Ombudsman Sandra Paul said they were prepared to take legal action when Compliance Notices were not followed.

“When Compliance Notices are not followed, we are prepared to take legal action to ensure workers receive their lawful entitlements,” Ms Parker said.

“Any employees with concerns about their pay or entitlements should contact us for free advice and assistance.”

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