skip to Main Content
Crust Gourmet Pizza Outlet In Court Over Alleged Wage Theft

Crust Gourmet Pizza outlet in court over alleged wage theft

A Crust Gourmet Pizza franchisee is facing court accused of ripping off his workers.

Chern Ming “Rick” Lee, and his company Desire Food Pty Ltd, once operated the Crust Pizza outlet at Cheltenham in Melbourne.

They are accused of underpaying seven workers a total of $35,725.

The details

The employees worked as pizza makers and delivery drivers.

Lee allegedly failed to pay:

  • correct minimum rates,
  • casual loadings,
  • annual leave entitlements,
  • clothing allowance and also
  • penalty rates.

The investigation by the Fair Work Ombudsman also uncovered other similar alleged breaches relating to six other employees.

Alleged breaches also include failing to:

  • pay for meal breaks and also a transport allowance,
  • engage casual employees for a minimum of 3 hours, and
  • not issuing pay slips.

Additionally, Fair Work also alleges Lee provided inspectors with false records in order to cover up the wage theft.

No excuse for underpaying workers

Miles Heffernan, Litigation Director at Industrial Relations Claims, said there is no excuse for underpaying workers.

“If you can’t afford to pay your staff properly, then you shouldn’t be in business,” he said.

“Unfortunately wage theft is rife in the hospitality and fast food industries.

“Many workers in those industries are young, or are working on visas, so they either don’t know their workplace rights, or are too afraid to complain about exploitation.”

Penalties

Lee faces penalties of up to $12,600 for each contravention, and his company faces penalties of up to $63,000 per contravention.


Call our team at Industrial Relations Claims today on

1300 045 466

To connect with us, please follow us on

 

Back To Top