United Petroleum is the latest brand to fall foul of workplace laws with five of 12 audited fuel retail outlets found to be underpaying employees.

The Fair Work Ombudsman began monitoring compliance in September 2015 after media reports alleged that some console operators were being shortchanged with their wages.

In total 19 employees were underpaid $12 105.09 during the period. Many of the underpaid employees were migrant workers who had minimal knowledge of their rights and entitlements.

Of the 12 sites reviewed 11 were owned by franchisees or commission agents and one site staffed by employees of associated company, Keycomp Pty Ltd, which finds employees when a particular outlet is between owners.

Fair Work Inspectors audited the pay records of 80 console operators who were employed at United Petroleum by franchisees, commission agents or Keycomp.

Five outlets (representing more than 40 per cent of the 11 outlets with employees) were non-compliant with Fair Work Laws and the relevant award, the Vehicle Manufacturing, Repair, Services and Retail Award 2010.

All of the underpayments identified during the audits resulted from franchisees, commission agents and Keycomp Pty Ltd applying flat rates of pay for all hours worked and incorrectly applying modern award penalty rates, in particular weekend and overtime rates.

United Petroleum’s new CEO has begun discussions with the Fair Work Ombudsman canvassing systems and processes that can be implemented to ensure future compliance with workplace laws at its outlets.

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