FWO secured penalty from bakeware company Mackies for holding back dues

The Fair Work Ombudsman (FWO) has secured $13,586.40 in penalties in court against the operators of a bakeware manufacturing and supply business located in Sydney.

The Federal Circuit and Family Court has imposed an $11,322 penalty against Mackies Asia Pacific Pty Ltd, which trades as ‘Mackies’, and an additional $2,264.40 penalty against company director Dmitry Myndreskou. according to a statement published by FWO, the penalties were imposed on the grounds of breaching the Fair Work Act by failing to comply with a Compliance Notice which requires companies to back-pay former employees.

FWO CEO Sandra Parker said, “When Compliance Notices are not followed, we are prepared to take legal action to ensure workers receive their lawful entitlements. Any employees with concerns about their pay or entitlements should contact us for free advice and assistance.”

The Judge further said, “Compliance notices provide a mechanism for the efficient and cost-effective rectification of identified contraventions of the [Fair Work] Act, including the non-payment of entitlements to employees.”

Following the argument, the employee reported to FWO regarding the distress. Consequently, FWO initiated an investigation to assist the distressed employee who was employed by Mackies Asia Pacific as a sales director for more than 20 years before his employment concluded in December 2020. 

As a result of the investigation, a Fair Work Compliance Officer issued notice to Mackie in February 2021. Following this, when the regulator initiated Court proceedings, the dues of the employee were cleared.