Melbourne Coffee Shop suspended from Government Wage Subsidy after allegations of exploiting workers

A popular coffee shop in the Melbourne town of Wollert has been suspended by the Department of Employment in Victoria after receiving reports from two separate workers of exploitation.

The coffee shop was part of the PaTH program which offered business $1000 to employ a young person who was previously receiving Centrelink Benefits as interns in their business for 3 months.

Worker 1 alleged he was owed more than $2000 in unpaid overtime and was offered a $50 gift card when he raised the issue with a manager and Worker 2 stated she was rostered for two weekend eight-hour shifts and only offered gift cards as payment.

The program clearly states that a worker can only work a maximum of 50 hours a fortnight under the program. Worker 1 has provided a screenshot of his time sheet for one week only and he performed 58 hours.

The owner is quoted as saying that he is "planning"on compensating Worker 1. No official comment on Worker 2.

At Burgess Group Services - we pride ourselves on not working with clients that want to engage in underpaying staff. If you want a further consultation on how we can help you, please contact us.

[Source: Open House Food Service Magazine

http://openhousemagazine.net/coffee-shop-underpayment-leaves-bitter-taste/

[Source: Buzz Feed

https://www.buzzfeed.com/ginarushton/this-guy-says-he-is-owed-money-after-working-for-the?utm_term=.huYPJnDjmM#.sakGKvgrEJ