The operator of a number of massage parlours in Adelaide who said he was “too busy and lazy” to keep proper records has been penalised for contraventions of record-keeping and pay slip laws, following legal action by the Fair Work Ombudsman.

The penalties, imposed in the South Australian Employment Court, are the result of legal action by the Fair Work Ombudsman.

The Fair Work Ombudsman audited the business owners massage parlours in 2016 as part of unannounced visits to 19 massage shops in Hobart and Adelaide, which were conducted in response to concerns of non-compliance in the sector.

However, the operator responded by advising that the records requested by the Fair Work inspector were not kept and that staff were not issued with pay slips.

In an email to a Fair Work inspector, the business owner stated that “During the past few years, I did not do the records and other things properly, because I am too busy and lazy”.

The contraventions occurred despite the Fair Work Ombudsman having previously put the business owner on notice, during investigations in 2012 and 2014, of the need to comply with record-keeping and pay slip obligations under the Fair Work Act.

Deputy President Michael Ardlie found that the contraventions were “serious”, and said “Proper record keeping and the provision of pay slips is essential to ensure there is compliance with workplace laws.”

“The failure to maintain relevant records frustrated the investigation process. Further, it is not known whether employees of the respondent suffered any specific monetary loss or entitlements in the absence of relevant records.”

We Help You Keep Records and Comply With Workplace Laws
ISOsafe offer Fair Work support to businesses Australia-wide. One of our Specialists will visit your workplace to review your processes and documents. Based on this, we will provide you with advice, compliance documents, training and a detailed report containing areas for improvement. Call ISOsafe today on 1300 789 132.