Company Fined for Underpaying Shortland Street Extra

Company Fined for Underpaying Shortland Street Extra

An Auckland company has been fined $10,000 for paying less than the minimum wage to an employee who worked as an extra on the television programme Shortland Street.

The Department of Labour took the case against August Models and Talent Limited which highlights the importance for employers to comply with minimum employment rights.

This case began 18 months ago when the company failed to pay the worker $258 in outstanding minimum wages.

“Unfortunately August Models and Talent Limited failed to show up to two Employment Relations Authority hearings, and a subsequent Employment Court hearing yesterday,” says the Department’s Acting Service Manager Auckland Central, Linda Wilson.

In a judgement, Chief Employment Court Judge Colgan ordered the company to pay the fine and noted that refusals to comply with Authority orders are to be treated seriously

“What was a relatively small amount to be paid in outstanding wages has become a significant cost because the company failed to comply with minimum employment rights and failed to turn up to hearings,” says Mrs Wilson.

“The Department gave the company adequate opportunities to explain its position and to make arrangements to honour its obligations to the employee, but it failed to do so.

“We were disappointed that we had to take the matter to such lengths but we have a duty to uphold the law and to ensure that employees are protected,” Mrs Wilson says.

ENDS

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