A former franchisee who underpaid a hairdressing apprentice a total of $6471 has been fined $4080 and his company a further $20,400.
Jack Younes, the former owner-operator of the Lattouf Hair and Day Spa at Castle Hill, Sydney, underpaid a teenage apprentice wages, penalty rates and leave entitlements between July 2012 and October 2013.
A compliance notice was issued by the Fair Work Ombudsman, requiring payment to be rectified within 21 days. When there was no response to the notice or a follow-up letter, the Ombudsman took legal action.
The Fair Work Ombudsman had contacted Younes at least 35 times regarding complaints from young workers.
Judge Sylvia Emmett said the company had demonstrated a reckless disregard for its workplace obligations to its staff.
The Federal Circut Court in Sydney has ordered that the apprentice be back-paid all outstanding entitlements in full.
Franchisees in underpayment cases:
- Bakers Delight franchisee shortchanges employees $40,000
- Sushi franchisee backpays $5000
- Gloria Jean’s franchisee pays $8 an hour wage