Darwin burger joint Good Thanks to face court after allegedly failing to pay worker
A popular Darwin burger joint will appear in court after allegedly failing to pay a young worker.
Northern Territory
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The Fair Work ombudsman has taken a popular Darwin burger joint to court after they allegedly failed to adequately pay a worker.
Territory Tough, the operators of Good Thanks, based on Knuckey St in the Darwin CBD, could be fined more than $30,000 if Fair Work succeeds in their case.
The regulator investigated the establishment after receiving a request from a young worker who had worked at the restaurant from May 2019 to June 2022.
The worker, aged between 17 and 20 at the time, was employed as a full-time chef while undertaking a commercial cookery apprenticeship.
Fair Work will allege in court that Territory Tough had not paid the worker wages for time spent attending registered training as part of his apprenticeship.
A business is required to pay workers while undergoing training under the Restaurant Industry Award 2010 and Restaurant Industry Award 2020.
Territory Tough was issued with a compliance notice in October 2022 which requested the business calculate and back pay earnings to the worker.
However, the Fair Work Ombudsman now alleges Territory Tough has failed to comply with the notice without giving reasonable excuse and has taken the business to court.
The FWO is seeking penalties for the alleged failure with Territory Tough facing fines of up to $33,300.
The regulator also seeks in its claim that Territory Tough is ordered to rectify the alleged underpayments in full, with interest and superannuation included.
Fair Work Ombudsman Sandra Parker said in a media release the regulator would continue to enforce workplace laws and take businesses to court when lawful requests are not complied with.
“Where employers do not comply, we will take appropriate action to protect employees,” Ms Parker said.
“A court can order a business to pay penalties in addition to back-paying workers.
“Employers should also be aware that taking action to improve compliance in the fast food, restaurant and cafe sector and protect vulnerable employees, such as young workers, are priorities for the FWO.
“Any employees with concerns about their pay or entitlements should contact the Fair Work Ombudsman for free assistance.”
Good Thanks opened its doors in 2017 and pitches itself as “a celebration of all things weird” and quickly established itself as a popular burger place in the city.
A directions hearing is listed in the Federal Court and the Family Court in Darwin for July 24.
Fair Work urges any employees and employers to visit www.fairwork.gov.au or call the info line on 131394 for free advice and assistance on their rights in the workplace.
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