Between 2010 and 2016, Sunglass Hut failed to pay correct wages to 620 staff across Australia. The Fair Work Ombudsman found Sunglass Hut to be in breach of the General Retail Industry Award, and as a result has had to pay $2,294,496 in overtime wages, with individual underpayments ranging from $4 to $42,912.
What is important to note is the awards and rates sometimes change yearly, and it’s important to keep up to date so no one in your retail business is affected.
Over the past 4 years the retail award has been in the review process, particularly in review of penalty rates. The Fair Work Commission has handed down a decision as of 1st October 2019 to apply changes to the retail award rates.
Effective from 1st October 2019, penalty rates for casuals working Saturdays or Weekday evenings increases by 5%.
The new rates will be:
- 135% for evening work (Mon-Fri)
- 145% for Saturday work
ProcessWorx based in Perth, Western Australia, is personally dedicated to helping small business with HR support, HR advice and farm safety. If you require HR support, HR advice, farm safety please contact ProcessWorx on (08) 9316 9896 or email enquiries@processworx.com.au
