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A FORMER Victorian petrol station operator has been penalised by the Fair Work Ombudsman for a second time, after ignoring an order to pay compensation to an unfairly dismissed employee.
Wedderburn Petroleum Pty Ltd, which formerly operated a petrol station near Bendigo, has been fined $20,000 by the Federal Circuit Court.
The company contravened workplace laws by failing to pay $5,000 compensation to an employee, as per a Fair Work Commission Order.
The Commission ordered the compensation payment last year after finding the employee had been unfairly dismissed in 2013, following two and a half years of employment.
The employee sought the Fair Work Ombudsman's assistance after the compensation was not paid within the required 14 days.
The Fair Work Ombudsman made several requests for the company to comply with the Commission's Order, but commenced legal action when it was unable to secure cooperation.
In addition to imposing the penalty, the Court has ordered Wedderburn Petroleum to pay the outstanding $5,000 compensation.
Fair Work Ombudsman Natalie James says the Agency has an important role to play in enforcing Orders issued by the Fair Work Commission.
"Building a culture of compliance with workplace law is important, and employers should be aware that we are prepared to take action where appropriate," she says.
Wedderburn Petroleum was also fined $123,915 last year for underpaying two console operators a total of almost $50,000.
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