Ombudsman alleges firm underpaid worker

The Fair Work Ombudsman is prosecuting a Perth electrical business for allegedly
underpaying a teenage employee by nearly $10,000.
D'Adamo Nominees Pty Ltd is alleged to have underpaid the 18-year-old between August
2007 and February 2008 after failing to register him as an apprentice.
The company, which trades as L&A Electrics in Wangara in Perth's north, provides
domestic electrical wiring services.
Documents lodged in the Federal Magistrates Court in Perth allege D'Adamo Nominees
underpaid the employee $9892.
The employee was allegedly short-changed up to $400 a week as a result of his
minimum hourly rate, overtime rates and annual leave entitlements being underpaid.
The business allegedly did not register the employee as an apprentice until February
2008. His employment ended in January 2009.
Fair Work inspectors first discovered the alleged underpayment last year when they
investigated a complaint from the worker.
Fair Work Ombudsman WA director Leigh Quealy said the decision to prosecute was made
because of the significant amount involved and the employer's failure to rectify the
matter.
"Only registered apprentices can be paid apprentice rates," Mr Quealy said in a
statement on Sunday.
The Fair Work Ombudsman alleges D'Adamo Nominees committed several breaches of
workplace relations laws.
The maximum penalty per breach is $33,000. The case is listed for a directions
hearing on May 31.