The Fair Work Ombudsman is prosecuting a former Melbourne paint retailer for allegedly underpaying five workers more than $25,000.
Pride Paints, which formerly traded as The Paint Factory at Bayswater North and other locations around the metropolitan area as well as Pride Paints’ sole director Eberhard Peppler are facing court.
Documents lodged in the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court allege Pride Paints underpaid five workers employed as shop assistants at The Paint Factory outlet in Bayswater North a total of $25,524 between 2006 and 2009. One of the employees was allegedly underpaid almost $11,500.
Fair Work Ombudsman executive director Michael Campbell says the decision to prosecute was made because of the significant amounts involved and the employer’s failure to rectify the matter.
The Fair Work Ombudsman alleges Pride Paints and Peppler committed several breaches of workplace relations laws.
The ombudsman is seeking penalties and a court order for entitlements allegedly outstanding to be back-paid. The maximum potential penalty per breach is $33,000 for Pride Paints and $6600 for Peppler.