The Fair Work Ombudsman has secured court orders for more than $31,000 in penalties and back-pay against the former Subway director.
Jason Matthew Hood was the director of two companies which formerly operated Subway franchise outlets in Glenelg on Jetty Road and in the Bayside Village Shopping Centre.
The Federal Circuit and Family Court has imposed $5,425 in penalties against Mr Hood, and in addition has also ordered him to back-pay workers a total of $25,597.
The penalties come in response to Mr Hood’s involvement in failing to comply with Compliance notices requiring back-payment of entitlements to three workers from August 2017 to October 2019.
One of the workers was owed $22,247, while the two others aged 17 and 18 at the time are owed $1,750 and $1,600 respectively.
The Fair Work Ombudsman investigated Mr Hood after receiving requests from the affected employees, with Compliance Notices issued in September 2020.
The Fair Work inspector formed a belief the workers were underpaid entitlements under the Fast Food Industry Award 2010, including minimum rates for ordinary hours, casual loadings, penalties, a special clothing allowance and annual leave entitlements on termination of employment.
Judge Stewart Brown said the workers were “vulnerable to exploitation by unscrupulous employers due to the nature of their work and the hours required of them.”
“The specific objectives of the Compliance Notice system must be supported and a general message sent as to the need for prompt and complete compliance to them,” Judge Brown said.