The Fair Work Ombudsman has issued an order that restrains a former franchisee from retailing operations because she underpaid her employees.

The move was made in the Federal Circuit Court coming after the agency received further complaints from young workers.

The person facing legal action is a Melbourne woman named Deborah Ruth Souris, who owned and ran Kenny’s Cardiology and Giftology House in Melbourne and Brisbane, before selling the stores in 2014.

Souris allegedly failed to respond to three compliance notices requesting back pay for five former employees who had been underpaid a total about $11,000.

If the litigation is successful for the Fair Work Ombudsman Souris could potentially face contempt of court proceedings for any further underpayments proven in court.

Fair Work Ombudsman Natalie James said inspectors made extensive efforts to engage with Souris before placing the matter before court but she was allegedly non-compliant.

“Unfortunately, we were not able to secure sufficient co-operation and the alleged underpayments have not been rectified,” James said.

Souris is facing maximum penalties of $5100 per contravention for three alleged breaches of workplace laws.