Employees back-paid $30,000
A BRICKLAYING company in Queensland's Southern Downs district has back-paid six employees a total of $30,000 in wages and superannuation entitlements following a Fair Work Building and Construction (FWBC) investigation.
FWBC Chief Executive Leigh Johns said the investigation was part of a larger audit of businesses in the state's concreting and finishing trade.
"As part of our field operations, FWBC regularly conducts audits focusing on particular trades in the building and construction industry," Mr Johns said.
"In this case, Fair Work Building Industry Inspectors found the employer was not paying the bricklayers for the minimum 38 hours required for full-time workers, during weeks when they didn't have much work on or weather prevented them from working.
"The employer voluntarily rectified the situation once the issue was pointed out and paid the bricklayers the money they were owed in installments."
FWBC has recovered around $60,000 in Queensland since the agency began operation on 1 June 2012.
Mr Johns said employers must pay full-time employees for a minimum of 38 hours each week.
"It is unacceptable to dock a full-time employee's pay just because work is prevented by weather, or less work is available," Mr Johns said.
"Employees still have bills to pay, and rely on their wages to survive.
"Failing to pay employees correctly could result in a hefty back-payment, as this matter demonstrates."
Mr Johns said due to privacy considerations, FWBC is unable to identify the employees or business involved in the matter.
FWBC promotes fair and productive building and construction work. It also monitors compliance and investigates breaches of national workplace legislation.
Members of the building and construction industry seeking advice on their workplace rights and obligations should call the FWBC Hotline on 1800 003 338 or visit fwbc.gov.au.
