A recent compliance matter that started with an anonymous report of wage theft has resulted in Private Sector Labour Relations industrial inspectors recovering over $17,000 in underpayments.

The employer, who runs a regional accommodation business, conducted a self-audit after being contacted by an industrial inspector. The audit found that more than 30 employees, including chefs, wait and cleaning staff, had been underpaid a total of approximately $17,000. The employer agreed to voluntarily rectify the underpayments of all employees.

The anonymous report was made through the Report Wage Theft website at www.wagetheft.wa.gov.au. This website has information for all Western Australian workers on how to:

• seek help with resolving an underpayment issue or unpaid annual or long service leave;
• report wage theft anonymously to the relevant government department; and
• seek help with unpaid superannuation.

This information is available in Arabic, Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese, Italian, Korean and Vietnamese and English.