Masterchef host and high-profile restaurateur George Calombaris is fined $200,000 for underpaying staff almost $8MILLION
- Masterchef host George Calombaris has been fined for underpaying his staff
- The celebrity chef will pay $200,000 as part of deal with Fair Work Ombudsman
- His company Made Establishment was underpaying staff by almost $8million
Masterchef host and high-profile restaurateur George Calombaris has been fined for underpaying staff by almost $8million.
The celebrity chef has been forced to make a $200,000 ‘contrition payment’ as part of a deal with the Fair Work Ombudsman after it was discovered that his hospitality empire had been underpaying 515 past and present employees over a six year period.
The scandal surrounding Mr Calombaris’ company, Made Establishment, first came to light in 2017 when the star blamed the issue on ‘historically poor processes’.
However, following an investigation by the Fair Work Ombudsman, a number of breaches have been identified, including; failure to pay split shift allowances, minimum award rates and penalty rates.
Masterchef host and high-profile restaurateur George Calombaris has been fined for underpaying staff by almost $8million
George Calombaris (pictured with Natalie Tricarico) said he was devastated by the error and vowed to repay everyone who had been effected when it first came to light in 2017
Mr Calombaris’ company, Made Establishment, was also found to have failed to keep records for the number of hours salaried workers had completed, The Age reported.
The deal with the Fair Work Ombudsman will see each of Mr Calombaris’ Melbourne venues audited for the next three years.
His high profile restaurants include Gazi, The Press Club and Hellenic Republic.
The company will have to introduce a new payroll system and workplace relations training will also be given to staff.
He will also have to make a number of statements promoting compliance with the Fair Work Act.
The Fair Work Ombudsman began investigating in 2015 after a number of staff from Made Establishment complained.
Mr Calombaris and his then business partner George Sykiotis had spoken out at the time, claiming the issues were resolved.
Mr Calombaris’ company, Made Establishment, has a number of venues including Melbourne’s Hellenic Republic (pictured)
George Calombaris (pictured) made headlines in 2017 when it was revealed he had been underpaying his staff
It wasn’t until Radek Sali became involved in the business in 2016 that more discrepancies were discovered.
The company then reported itself to the Fair Work Ombudsman in 2017. At the time, Mr Calombaris blamed the issue on ‘historically poor processes’.
In an email sent to staff at the time, Mr Calombaris said he was devastated by the error and vowed to repay everyone who had been effected, The Sydney Morning Herald reported.
‘I am devastated by what has happened and we have been working extremely hard to fix this. I want to be clear that getting it right means ensuring that every single one of our team members is paid what they are entitled to under the industry award, and that any outstanding money owed to staff is rectified.’
Daily Mail Australia has contacted Mr Calombaris for comment.
Mr Calombaris’ company, Made Establishment, was also found to have failed to keep records for the number of hours salaried workers had completed
Mr Calombaris’ company, Made Establishment, has a number of venues including Melbourne’s The Press Club (pictured)