Woolworths : statement on Fair Work Ombudsman's Federal Court proceedings

Friday 18 June 2021

Woolworths Group statement on Fair Work Ombudsman's Federal Court proceedings

Woolworths Group notes the Fair Work Ombudsman's filing of Federal Court proceedings in relation to the underpayments of award-covered salaried managers.

Woolworths Group is currently reviewing the proceedings. They address issues over which there is considerable uncertainty. The Woolworths Group remediation process to date has involved extensive calculations, assessment and review.

Woolworths Group has engaged with the Fair Work Ombudsman on these issues and welcomes the opportunity to have the Federal Court clarify the complex legal issues involved, including the interpretation and application of provisions of the General Retail Industry Award.

In October 2019 Woolworths Group announced that it had identified salaried team members had not been paid in full compliance with the General Retail Industry Award. Woolworths Group self-reported the matter to the Fair Work Ombudsman.

Woolworths Group has been working to review and remediate the issue since 2019. To date more than $370m has been paid to current and former salaried team members across the Woolworths Group, with work continuing to remediate affected team members.

Woolworths Group CEO, Brad Banducci said:

'Since 2019 our highest priority has been, and continues to be, addressing the issue of underpayments for our team, and to ensure that it doesn't happen again.

'We welcome the opportunity for further clarity from the court process on the correct interpretations of the relevant provisions.'