THE Fair Work Ombudsman has launched legal action against a Perth computer company and its director for allegedly breaching national workplace laws by failing to comply with requests to provide records.
Documents lodged in the Federal Magistrates’ Court in Perth allege Malaga-based Nerd Group Australia Pty Ltd, which operates a computer retail and repair business trading as Nerd Shop, and the company’s sole director, Jack Craig Garber, failed to provide employment records requested by the ombudsman after a former employee claimed she had been underpaid.
The Fair Work Ombudsman requested employment records from Nerd Group Australia in November 2009 during its investigation of the complaint lodged by a woman the company had employed as a receptionist in 2008-2009.
It was alleged the company had not paid her for some hours worked and that Nerd Group and Mr Garber committed one breach of the Fair Work Act.
They face maximum penalties of $33,000 and $6,600 respectively.
Under the act, employers must comply with requests from the Fair Work Ombudsman to provide employment records relating to employees and former employees.
Fair Work Ombudsman WA director Leigh Quealy said business owners and workers should be aware the penalties had increased from a previous maximum of $5,500 for a company and $1,100 for an individual