1

[ExtractfromQueenslandGovernmentIndustrialGazette,

Dated 4 April 2008,Vol.187,No.12,pages 175-187]

QUEENSLANDINDUSTRIALRELATIONSCOMMISSION

IndustrialRelationsAct1999-s.278-powertorecoverunpaidwagesandsuperannuationcontributionetc.

JohnHughPower(DepartmentofEmploymentandIndustrialRelations-Southport)AND

Sun,SeaSurfPtyLtd(B/2007/33)

COMMISSIONERTHOMPSON / 28March2008

Applicationunders.278IndustrialRelationsAct1999-RetailTake-AwayFoodAward-South-EasternDivision-RetailTake-AwayFoodAward-South-EasternDivision2003-Amountsoughtamended-Classification-Levelofqualification-Relevantindustrialinstrument-Cook(Tradesperson)Grade3-Applicationgranted.

DECISION

Background

MrJohnPower,adulyappointedIndustrialInspectorundertheIndustrialRelationsAct1999(theAct)filedanapplicationwiththeIndustrialRegistryon21May2007inwhichasumof$6,528.98wassaidtobeowedtoMrPeterAndersonforworkperformed.

Acompany,Sun,SeaSurfPtyLtd,waslistedastherespondenttotheapplication,havingsaidtohaveoperatedatake-awayfoodbusinessknownasLAChickenatpremiseslocatedontheGoldCoast.

Theemployee,onwhosebehalftheapplicationhadbeenmade,wassaidtohavebeenintheemployoftherespondentfromApril2002until8July2006.

Therelevantperiodoftimesubjecttotheclaimwasidentifiedas1July2003to26March2006.

IntroductorycommentsprovidedbyMrPoweratthecommencementofproceedingssoughttoamendtheamountclaimedtothatof$5,231.71,asomewhatlesseramountthanoriginallysought.

Applicant

MrPowerinformedtheCommissioninopeningsubmissionsofthebackgroundtotheapplicationwhichincludedreferencetoafurtherclaimbeinginvestigatedbytheOfficeofWorkplaceServices(aFederalBody)duetotheenactmentoftheWorkChoicesLegislationon26March2006whicheffectivelyresultedintwoinvestigationsbeingundertakenbydifferentGovernmentagencies.

Theareaofdisputationbetweenthepartieswasidentifiedasdutiesperformedandclassificationlevelsoftheapplicablestateinstruments,namelythe:

  • RetailTake-AwayFoodAward-South-EasternDivision;and
  • RetailTake-AwayFoodAward-South-EasternDivision2003.

IssuesfordeterminationbytheCommission,accordingtoMrPower,included:

  • Hadtheemployeemadetheemployerawareofhisqualifications?
  • WastheemployeehiredasaqualifiedCook?
  • Weretheskillsoftheemployeeutilisedpursuanttothe(previouslynamed)industrialinstruments?

TheapplicantcalledevidencefromMsLinleyAhern,MrAndersonand,inaddition,issuedanAttendanceNoticetoMsShirleyOlivertoattendthehearingforthepurposeofgivingevidenceinthematter.

ShirleyOliver

MsOliver,thewifeofMrBruceOliver,aDirectoroftherespondentbusinesswhilstattendingunderanAttendanceNoticeissuedon9November2007,alsoprovidedaStatementofEvidencethatwasenteredintotheproceedingasExhibit1.

ThestatementindicatedherpresenceatthejobinterviewinvolvingbothMrAndersonandherhusband.

Inthecourseoftheinterview,MrAndersonprovidedinformationrelatingtohispreviousemployment,includingworkina"pubrestaurant"andasa"generaldogsbody"ataNewSouthWaleshospital.

MrAndersonhadmadeitclearintheinterviewthathewaslookingforalowstress,lowpressurepositionand,againstherbetterjudgement,wasgivenemploymentasacasualKitchenhand.

Whilstemployed,MrAndersonhadnevercomplainedofbeingoverqualifiedforthejob,orinconnectiontohisrateofpay.

Thewitnesshadbeenboth"bossandsupervisor"ofMrAndersonintheearlyyearsoftheemploymentarrangement.

InevidenceadducedunderexaminationfromMrPower,thewitnessstated:

  • theadvertisementforthepositionacceptedbyMrAndersonhadbeenplacedwithanemploymentagency;
  • theagencydidnotprovidearesumeordetailsoftheapplicant'squalifications;and
  • referenceswereprovidedandthewitnessunderstoodthatherhusbandhadundertakenareferencecheck.

Thewitnessevidencedthatshehadsocialcontactwiththeapplicantandhispartnerandwasongoodtermsfortheperiodofhisemploymentwiththerespondent.

ThewitnesshadlimitedrecollectionofMrAndersonhangingonthewallattheshopacertificatesaidtobehiscookingqualification.

Inrelationtothequalifications(atpage17,line30oftranscript),MrPowerasked"Buttherewassomethingonthewall,wasit?"towhichthewitnessreplied"Yeah,butforavery,veryshorttimeandIcouldn'teventellyouwhatitwas".

ThewitnessacknowledgedthatMrAndersonhadusedhisownknifeinthecourseofemployment,buthadnotbroughtinotherculinaryequipment.

EvidencefromthewitnesswasthatMrAnderson'sdutiesincluded:

  • cuttingupvegetables;
  • salads;
  • rotisseriechicken(stuffingandplacingonrods);
  • makingburgers,sandwichesetc;
  • roasts;and
  • saucesandgravies(outofbottles).

InresponsetoaquestionfromMrPoweronwhatportionofMrAnderson'sdutieswerespentincooking,thewitness,atpage20,line33oftranscriptstated:

"Well,actually,himnotalotbecauseheworkedthedayshiftandthedayshiftwasnotbusy. Thedayshiftwasmainlyjustcuttingupvegetables,doingthecleaningsideofit.".

Incross-examination,thewitnessgaveevidencethatshehadnotseenMrAnderson'sChefcertificatewhilsthewasintheemployoftherespondentbusinessandthatcookingskillswerenotrequiredforthepositioninquestion.

LinleyAhern

MsAhern,anInspectorappointedundertheAct,basedatSouthport,gaveevidenceofbeinginstructedinSeptember2006toinvestigateacomplaintlodgedbyMrAnderson.

ShearrangedtomeetwithMrOliverattheshoppremiseson19September2006.

Thewitness,inpages2to7(inclusive)ofheraffidavitofevidence,recalleddetailsoftheinterviewthathadbeenreproducedfromnotestakenbyherinthecourseoftheinterview(page54,line8oftranscript).

TheevidencewasthatMrOliver,inresponsetonumerousquestions,hadmadesignificantcommentswhichconfirmedMrAnderson'sstatusofbeingaCook.

ReproducedfromMsAhern'saffidavitareparagraphs53to71:

["Isaid"-Ahern;"Hesaid"-BruceOliver]:

"54.Isaid:Whatwerehisduties?

55.Hesaid:Basicallytopreparefood.

56.Isaid:Anycooking?

57.Hesaid:Onlytakeaway.

58.Isaid:Whatwashecooking?

59.Hesaid:Chipsandhamburgers.

60.Isaid:Washeservingcustomers?

61.Hesaid:Yes.

62.Isaid:Whatwashistitle?

63.Hesaid:Justacook/kitchenhand.

64.Isaid:Peterclaimshewasemployedasachefmanager.

65.Hesaid:Neverwas.

66.Isaid:Wereyouawarethatheisaqualifiedcook?

67.Hesaid:Onlyafterweemployedhimhetoldussomethingalongthoselines.

68.Isaid:Attheinterview,didyouaskhimifhewasaqualifiedcook?

69.Hesaid:HetoldushehadbeenacookinapubinNSW.

70.Isaid:Didyouaskhimifhewasaqualifiedcook?

71.Hesaid:No,henevertoldusuntilafterwardsbecauseheknewwewouldn'thaveemployedhim,wedon'tneedaqualifiedcook.".

MsAhernstatesthatshewasinformedbyMrOliverthatKitchenhandLevel1wasthecommencementclassificationforMrAnderson.

Theinterview,accordingtotheInspector,confirmedthatappropriateratesforpublicholidayshadnotbeenpaid.

AllegationswerelevelledbyMrOlivertotheInspectorinrespectofMrAnderson"stealingkitchenequipment".

Intheweeksfollowingtheinterviewof19September2006,theInspectorcontinuedtoinvestigatethematter,includingtheissuingofaNoticetoproducetimeandwagerecordson11October2006whichwasignoredbytherespondent.

AnassessmentwascompletedbaseduponrecordsprovidedbyMrAndersonandaletterofdemandclaimingtheamountof$6,528.98wasforwardedtotherespondenton20November2006.

Therespondent,incorrespondencedated27November2006,rejectedtheclaimstatingthattheemployeewasnotemployedasaqualifiedCook.

Therespondentalsostated"thatWorkChoiceshaddeterminedthatthemosttheemployeewouldbeentitledtoisaL2(leveltwo)".

TheInspectorwasmadeawareofdiscussionsbetweenMrPowerandtherespondentatwhichfurtherrecordsdisclosingstartingandceasingtimeswerefurnished.

ThisrequiredafurtherassessmenttobeundertakenbytheInspectorwhoarrivedatanewfigure,thatbeing$5,264.83.

Acopy(only)oftimeandwagesrecordswastenderedthroughthewitnessfortheperiodoftheassessment.

TheInspectorconfirmedthattheAwardsuponwhichtheassessmentwasmadewerethosementionedbyMrPowerinhisopeningstatementintheproceedings.

TheCommissioner,inanexchangewiththewitness(recordedatpage47,line3oftranscript)raisedtheissueofclassification:

"Commissioner:Areyoutalkingabout,forexample,classification?

Ahern:Yeah,theclassifications,overtime,hours,definitions.

Commissioner:Howdidyouarriveattheclassification,forexample,whichisfairlyimportantintermsofthismatter? Howdidyoudeterminewhatclassificationwouldapply?

Ahern:Okay. Well,lookingatwhatMrAndersonsaidhisdutieswereandthefactthathesaidhewasemployedasaqualifiedcook,Ilookedatthevariouslevels,fromlevels2throughto5,andultimatelyitcamedowntolevel5astheone,becausehehadthequalifications.

Commissioner:Thatwasallbasedon-onwhatMrAndersonhadinformedyou?

Ahern:Beyondthat; itwasbasedonthefactthathehadproducedthe-acopyofhistradepapers,soitwasn'tjusthiswordthathewasqualified,itwasamatteroffactthathewasqualified.".

Undercross-examination,thewitnessfacedextensivequestioninginrelationtoherinterpretationoftheclassificationstructurerelieduponinherassessmentoftheclaim.

MrOliverfurtherputtothewitnessaseriesofquestionsthatchallengedthecorrectnessoftheassessment.

Theresponsesfromthewitnessexposedthatanumberofflawsexistedintheareaoftheratesassessedfortimeworkedonpublicholidaysandtherewerealsodifferencesinrelationtotimerecordsbetweentheparties.

TheInspectoragreedtoprovideafurtherassessmenttakingintoaccounttheinaccuraciesarisingfromthecross-examination.

PeterAnderson

MrAnderson'sevidenceidentifiedhisperiodofemploymentbeingfromEaster2002(April)until8July2006,howeverforthepurposesoftheapplicationbeforetheCommission,hewasonlyconcernedwiththeperiodfromJuly2003until26March2006.

Indetailinghisrelationshipwiththerespondent,hewentinthefirstinstancetobeingcontactedbyajobagencyaboutapossiblejobinachickenshopatMermaidBeach.

Atameetingwiththeagencyrepresentative,heclaimedtohaveprovidedaresumewhichhesaidcontainedacopyofhistradepaperswhichidentifiedhimbeingtheholderofaCertificateofProficiencyintheTradeofCooking(Western)whichhadbeenissuedbytheCommissionerforVocationalTraining,NSWDepartmentofTradingandEducationCo-ordination(acopywasattachedtothewitnessesaffidavit).

Inrecallingtheinterviewfortheposition,thewitnesswasclearthattheOliverswerenotonlyawareofhisqualifications,butactuallyofferedhimthepositionofChef/Manager.

Onhavingtakenuptheofferofemploymentaccordingtothewitness,hewasrequested(byMrsOliver)tobringinchef'scertificatessotheycouldbehungintheshoptogivethebusinesscredibility.

Inevidencerelatingtohisduties,heinformedtheCommissionthatcookingarangeofdisheswerepartofhisdailyduties.

Thehoursofworkwere,ingeneralterms,between8.00a.m.and3.00p.m.WednesdaytoSundayor,onsomeoccasions,FridaytoTuesday.

Inthefirstfifteenmonthsofemployment,hewasnotpermittedtotakemealbreaksanddisputedemployerclaimsthathehad"paidmealbreaks"tocompensateforthenon-paymentofpenaltyratesonpublicholidays.

HewasnotrequiredtoenterstartingandceasingtimesontimesheetsandhadonlykeptapersonalrecordofsuchtimesfromJanuary2006.

Variousratesofremunerationappliedduringthecourseofemployment,rangingfrom$14.00to$17.00perhourandpaidasacasualrate.

InMay2005,theemployerpaid$105.00cash-in-handforworkperformedonaSunday.

Atnotimedidheregularlyreceivepayadvicestatements.

Followinghisdeparturefromtheemployment,hewasinterviewedbyQueenslandPoliceinconnectionwithanallegedtheftfromtherespondentbusiness,howevernoactionwastakenagainsthim.

Thewitnesswasofaviewthatthecomplaintallegingthefthadbeenapaybackpertainingtoworkplacerelations.

Cross-examinationofthewitnesswas,attimes,heatedandcanvassedarangeofissuesincluding:

  • classification;
  • ratesofpay;
  • payslips;
  • duties;
  • recipes;
  • stockordering;
  • allegeddruguse;
  • hoursofwork;
  • investigationandfindingsbyOfficeofWorkplaceServices;
  • allegedtheftofrespondent'sproperty.

Note: WhilstMrAndersonwasonthestand,therespondentarrangedforsurveillanceDVDstobeplayedwherethewitnesscouldbeseengatheringupcookingutensilsattherespondent'sbusiness.

ThewitnessgaveevidencethathehadcalledMrOliverpriortoremovingtheequipmentfeaturedinthesurveillanceDVDs.

Respondent

Therespondent,whowasself-represented,calledevidencefromMsChloeThompsonandMrKerianBurnsinadditiontoevidenceprovidedtotheCommissionbyhimself.

BruceOliver

TheevidencefromMrOliver,inrespectoftheengagementofMrAnderson,mirroredthatgivenearlyintheproceedingsbyhiswife.

MrAnderson,accordingtotheevidence,wasemployedontheearlyshiftduetoconcernstherespondenthadinrespectofhiscapacitytohandlethebusiereveningrush.

TherespondenthadnevercalledonMrAndersontoundertakedutiesofadifferentnaturetothoseperformedbyotherstaff,includingjuniors(15to17yearolds).

TheclaimbeforetheCommission,intheviewofthewitness,was"nothingmorethanaspitefulhitathimpersonallybecausehe[Anderson]mayhavelosthisjobandalsoachanceatamoneygrab".

EvidencewasgiventhatasimilarclaimhadbeenmadetotheOfficeofWorkplaceServicesandafindinghadbeenconfirmed(incorrespondencetotherespondent)thattheclassificationundertheAwardof"KitchenAttendantGrade2"shouldbeappliedtothedutiesundertakenbyMrAnderson.

Onthematterofqualifications,theCommission(page163,line28oftranscript)puttothewitnessanumberofquestionswhichsoughttoprovideclarificationoftherespondent'spositioninrespectofMrAnderson'squalification:

"Commissioner:You-youdon'tdispute-you'renotdisputinghehadacertificatethough,areyou? Yousayheclaimstohaveacertificate?

Oliver:Yeah,no,I-I-I-I'mnotdisputinghe'sgotacertificatebuthecertainlydidn'tshowusthatintheearlypiece.

Commissioner:Whendoyouthink-well,what-whenyousayyousawthecertificate?

Oliver:I'veneverseenthecertificateunderIndustrialRelationsputitinfrontofme.

Commissioner:Well,youjustsaidtheninyourevidencehedidn'tshowusintheearlypart?

Oliver:Heshowedmywifebecause-notintheearlypartbutinlaterstagesAnita'sadmittedthatshehasseenthecertificatesometimeafteremploymentquiteawaydownthetrack.

Commissioner:Butyoudon'tknowhowfardownthetrack?

Oliver:No,I'mthinkingit'slike12monthslater.".

MrPower,incross-examination,raisedanumberofmattersincluding:

  • useofemploymentagencyinhiringofMrAnderson;
  • classificationappropriateforMrAnderson(page175,line26oftranscript):

"Power:Okay,well,look,inyourinterviewwithInspectorAhern,doyourecalltellingherthatPeterAndersonwasemployedasacook-kitchenhand/cook?

Oliver:No. Isaidhedidcookingandhewasemployedasakitchenhand.

Power:Okay. Soyou-youdisagreewiththeresponsesheclaimsthatyougaveintherecordofinterview?

Oliver:That'sright.

Power:Okay. Wellhowaboutthisone? Whataboutthestatementyoumadetothe-theQueenslandPoliceService? Wouldyouliketohavealookatthatdocument? Canwegototheparagraphthreedown,"AroundMay2002". Couldyoureadthatsentence?

Oliver:Yeah,'AroundMay2002IemployedPeterAndersonasacasualbasisasacook/kitchenhand.'";

  • investigationundertakenbyOfficeofWorkplaceServices.

ChloeThompson

MsThompsonhadbeenemployedintherespondentbusinessfortheperiodApril2004toSeptember2006.

HerevidencewasthatMrOliverwas"greatandaveryunderstandingboss"whotreatedallemployees,includingMrAnderson,fairly.

MrAnderson,ontheotherhand,wasunprofessionaland,attimes,showedherhowtoavoid"thestorevideocameras"whentakingitemsfromthedrinkfridge,soasnottopayforthosedrinks.

KeiranBurns

MrBurnsisaWorkplaceInspectorwiththeWorkplaceOmbudsmanwhichwasformerlytheOfficeofWorkplaceServices.

MrBurnsgaveevidencethaton1August2006aclaimwasreceivedathisofficefromMrAndersoninwhichitwasallegedthatthefollowinghadhappened:

  • underpaymentofhourlyratehadoccurred;
  • hehadnotbeenpaidcorrectlyforpublicholidays;
  • notpaidsuperannuation;and
  • non-issueofpayslips.

Theunderpaymentofthehourlyratewenttoaclaimthatduetohis[Anderson]qualifications,heshouldbepaidasaChef.

MrAndersonhadindicatedontheclaimformthathewasaChefandheldqualifications.

MrBurns,inevidence,statedthathedeterminedthatMrAndersonwasaKitchenAttendantGrade2basedonaconversationwithaMrTonyStapletonwhowasthenewownerofthebusiness.

MrStapletonhadinformedhimthatthestorenowonlyemployedjuniorstaff(twosixteenyearoldsandaseventeenyearold)andtheywerenotrequiredtomenuplanorutiliseanytradequalification.

MrBurnshadbeenunabletoobserveMrAndersonatworkashehadceasedworkandthebusinesshadchangedhands.

Hehad,intheend,decidednottoacceptthepositionadvancedbyMrAnderson.

Incross-examination,MrBurnsinformedtheCommissionthathewasaformerschoolteacherwhohadbeenworkingasanInspectorforsixmonths.

InrelationtoMrBurns'testimonyinrespectofhisphoneconversationwithMrStapleton,theCommission(atpage202,line8oftranscript)askedhowwouldthenewownerknowwhathappenedbeforeheboughtthebusinesstowhichMrBurnsreplied"Well,hewouldhavenoidea".

MrPowerraisedtheissueastohowthewitnesshaddeterminedtheclassificationapplicabletoMrAnderson(atpage205,line4oftranscript):

"Power:Thankyou,Commissioner. So,witness,areyousayingthatyoucametotheclassificationdeterminationsolelybasedontheversionofeventsbeingtheemployer,MrOliver,andthoseoftheemployerwhoprecededhiminthatbusinessatMermaidBeach?

Burns:Well,intermsoftheonlypartthatIcouldcorroboratetoanyextentwasbaseduponthosetwo,yes.

Power:Okay. So,what,youjustdisregardedprettywellwhat-thepersonwhohadmadethegrievancetoyouragency,right? AnagencythathandlesworkplacerelationsmatterintheFederalarena,Okay? Post-workchoicesinthisscenariowasahalf-halfclaim. So,you'reprettywell-hesaidtoyouinhisopeningsubmission,'IbelieveI'vebeenunderpaidduetomyqualifications'soyou'veweighedupthatthat's-disregard,justgivethatamiss?

Burns:Well,youaskedmehowIcametothedecisiongloballyspeaking,andit'smyunderstandingthere'snottoomanyhotchooktakeawayshopsthatemploychefs,so,probablydeterminedthatitwouldhavebeenunlikelythathewouldhaveutilisedachef'squalifications.".

Note:MrBurnsappearedinproceedingshavingbeenservedwithaNoticetoAttend.

Submissions

Applicant

MrPower,insubmissions,drewtotheattentionoftheCommission,detailsrelatingtotheformalsysteminplacethatprescribestheindustrialregulationoftheretailtake-awayindustry.

ThematterbeforetheCommissionwasoneoftwocomplaintslodgedbyMrAndersoninrespectofhisemploymentwiththerespondent.

InvestigationswereundertakenbytwoGovernmentagencies(StateandFederal)withtwocompletelydifferentoutcomesbeingarrivedatinrespectoftheclassificationapplicabletoMrAnderson'semployment.

TheCommissionwastakentotheevidenceofMrAndersonwhereheclaimedtohavebeenofferedemploymentinthefirstinstanceasaChef/Manager.

MsAhern,inevidence,statedthatMrOliverhad,wheninterviewedbyheron19September2006,indicatedthatMrAndersonwas"justacook/kitchenhand"andthathisdutiesincluded"onlytakeaway,chipsandhamburgers".

MrOliver,inaStatementofWitnesstoanOfficeroftheQueenslandPoliceServiceon19August2006hadstated"IemployedPeterAndersononacasualbasisasacookandkitchenhand".

MrandMrsOliver,atthetimeofpurchasingthebusinessknownasLAChicken,hadnopreviousexperienceinthecookingindustryand,inhiringMrAnderson,theyhadensuredtheyobtainedthe"bestpossiblehumanresourcetheycould".

TheAwardclassificationsofKitchenAttendants,whethertheyareGrade1or2,arequitespecificinthattheyexcludecookingduties.

MrAndersonhadproducedhisqualificationstotherespondent.

TheclaimbyMrOliverthatMrAndersonhadtobetrainedinhisdutiesoncommencementwas,accordingtoMrPower,"worthpondering"inthatyouhademployersnewtoanindustryinstructingsomeonewiththeskillsandknowledge,onhowtodohisjob.

TheindustrialinstrumentscoveringMrAnderson'semploymentclearlydefinethattheclassificationofCookTradespersonGrade3withthewageratebeingthatofLevel5isapplicable.

TheCommissionwasrequestedonthebasisofevidenceheardbeforetheproceedingstofindinfavouroftheapplicantandawardtheamountidentifiedintheamendedscheduleof$5,107.08.

Respondent

MrOliversubmittedthatthepositionofferedtoMrAndersononcommencementwasthatofKitchenhandandhemaintainedthatrolefortheentiretyoftheemployment.

ThebusinessofLAChickenhadbeenshowntotheCommissionasasimpletake-awaybusinesswhererecipesandprocedureswerefollowedonadailybasisbyallstaffincludingMrAnderson.

ToundertakefoodpreparationdidnotrequiretheskillsofaChef.

TheevidenceofMrAndersonwasquestionedtotheextentthatMrOliverstatedthathisevidencehadbeen"clearlyalllies"(page227,line50oftranscript).

ThenumerousassessmentsbeforetheCommissionwerefullofholesandmistakesandthecalculationsundertakenbyMsAhernhadnottakenintoaccountinformationprovidedbyMrOliver. ShehadchosentoacceptwhatMrAndersonhadsaidwithoutanyevidencetobackuptheclaims.

TherespondenthadnoideathatMrAndersonheldcookingqualificationsatthetimeofengagementanditwassome12to18monthsaftercommencementthatMrsOliverwasinformedthatheheldthosequalifications.

TheappropriateclassificationforMrAndersonwasthatofKitchenAttendantGrade2whichhadbeentheclassificationfoundtoapplybytheOfficeofWorkplaceServicesintheinvestigationofMrBurns.

TheCommissionhadheardanumberoffalseclaimswhichdidnotreflectthetruepositionofMrAnderson'semploymentandshouldrejecttheapplication.

Conclusion

TheapplicationbeforetheCommissionwasoneoftwoclaimsagainsttherespondentarisingfromtheemploymentofMrAndersonwiththerespondentbusiness.

Thisapplicationcoveredtheperiodofemploymentcommencingtheweekending4July2004throughuntiltheweekending26March2006.

Theperiodofemploymentfrom27March2006untilthecessationofemploymenton3July2006wassubjecttoaclaimmadethroughtheOfficeofWorkplaceServices.

TherequirementfortwoclaimsratherthanonewasduetothecommencementoftheWorkChoiceslegislationon27March2006.

TheperiodofemploymentwithMrAndersonstartingworkinoraroundMarch2002untiltheweekending4July2004wasnotsubjecttoanyformofclaim.

Claim

Theapplicationfiledon21May2007soughtanorderinrespectofapaymentidentifiedasthetotalsumof$6,528.98owingtoMrAnderson.

Ondayoneoftheproceedings,MrJohnPower,onbehalfoftheDepartmentofEmploymentandIndustrialRelations,amendedtheamountbeingsoughttothatof$5,231.71.

Incross-examinationofMsAhern,itemergedthatsomeanomalies(referredtobytheCommission"asflawsintheratesassessedforpublicholidays")existedthatrequiredafurtherassessmenttobeundertakenbyMsAhernsoastomoreaccuratelyreflecttheamountoftheallegedunderpaymentbeingsought.

Ontheresumptionofproceedingson17March2008,MsAhernwasagainswornandtenderedarevisedassessmentdocument(Exhibit23)whichamendedtheclaimfurtherdownwardsto$5,107.08.

MrOliver,inthecourseofcross-examination(andlaterinsubmissions)wasquitescathingofMsAherninrespectofthemannerinwhichshehadapproachedthetaskofassessingtheclaim.

EvidencebeforetheCommissionwouldsuggestthatMrOlivermayhavebeenrecalcitrantinhisresponsibilities,failingtoprovidetotheInspectortimeandwagesrecordssoughtthroughaNoticetoProduceissuedon11October2006.

TheCommissionappreciatesthedifficultiesfacedbyMsAhernasvariousstagesofherinvestigationthroughtheabsenceoftimeandwagesrecordsandpayslips.

ThelevelofdocumentationrelatingtotheassessmentspreparedbyMsAhernandtenderedintheproceedingswasofahighstandardandcompatiblewiththeprofessionalwayinwhichshepresentedinthecourseofherevidence.

TheCommissiondrawstheconclusionthatMsAhernwaswellexperienced,withhighlevelsofknowledgeinrespectofhercallingandnotlessthancompetentassuggestedbytherespondent.

Determination

ThesuccessorotherwiseoftheapplicationisdependentuponwhattheCommissiondeterminesinrespectofkeyissuesemergingfromevidenceintheproceedings.

Thoseissueswereidentifiedas:

  • Wastheemployee[Anderson]engagedasaCook?
  • Didtheemployeeholdtradelevelqualificationsandwastheemployerawareofthesaidqualifications?
  • Werethetradeskills(ifany)utilisedbytheemployeepursuanttotherelevantindustrialinstruments?

Wastheemployee[Anderson]engagedasaCook?

TheevidenceofMrAndersonwasthatheobtainedemploymentwiththerespondentthroughajobagencywhohadbeenprovidedwitharesumethatcontained,amongstotherthings,histradepapers.

UncorroboratedevidencefromMrAndersonwenttoadvicereceivedfromthejobagencyrepresentativethattheresume,initscompleteform,hadbeenshowntotherespondent.

TheCommissionwouldbeloathetoattachanysignificantweightingtotheevidencerelatingtothejobagencyrepresentativehavingprovidedtheresumetotherespondent.

DetailsrelatingtotheadvertisementplacedwiththejobagencywerenotprovidedtotheCommission.

TheOlivers,inevidencegivenintheproceedings,bothclaimedthatMrAndersonwasengagedasacasualKitchenhandandcontinuedinthatroleforthedurationofemployment.

HoweverintheevidenceofMsAhernbetweenparagraphs54and63ofheraffidavit,MrOliverisallegedtohave,inthecourseofaninterview(notesofwhichwereprovided)acknowledgedthatMrAnderson:

  • preparedfood;
  • undertookcookingoftake-awayfoodsuchashamburgersandchips;
  • histitlewas"cook/kitchenhand".

InastatementgiventotheQueenslandPoliceServiceon19August2006byMrOliverhemadethefollowingcommentinregardstoMrAnderson'semployment:

"AroundMay2002,IemployedPeterANDERSONonacasualbasisasacookandkitchenhand. Heperformed26-30hoursperweek. HewouldbepaideachTuesdayofeveryweek.".

WhilstanimpasseexistedbetweenthepartiesonwhetherMrAndersonwasemployedasaCookorKitchenhand,theCommissionisinclinedtoaccepttheevidenceofMrAnderson,particularlywhencoupledwithMrOliver'sstatementtotheQueenslandPoliceServiceon19August2006thattherespondentwasmorethanawareasat4July2004thattheyhadengagedapersonwithformalqualificationsincookeryandthathisdutiesincludedcooking.

Didtheemployeeholdtradelevelqualificationsandwastheemployerawareofthesaidqualifications?

TheCommissionwasprovidedwithacopy(only)ofa"CertificateofProficiency"inCookery(Western)issuedundertheIndustrialandCommercialTrainingAct1999NewSouthWales.

ThecertificatecertifiedthatPeterGeorgeAndersonhadcompletedthetermofapprenticeshipandhadsuccessfullycompletedthecourseofstudiesprescribedbytheIndustrialandCommercialTrainingCouncilintheTradeofCookery(Western).

ThecertificateborethesignatureofMrAndersonandadditionallywasstampedwiththefollowingwording:

"ThisistocertifythatthisisatruecopyoftheoriginalwhichIhavesighted".

AsignatureappearedunderthestampingofapersonidentifyingthemselvesasaJusticeofthePeacewithadateof18October2007besidethesignature.

TheCommission,ontheevidenceandmaterialbeforetheproceedings,wouldbeofaviewthatonthebalanceofprobabilities,MrAnderson,forallintentsandpurposes,heldrelevanttradequalifications.

Onwhethertheemployerwasawareofthequalifications,MrsOliver,onanumberoftimesinevidence,deniedsightingMrAnderson'squalifications,howeveratpage17,line1oftranscript,inresponsetoaquestiononwhetherMrAnderson'squalificationswereeverhungintheshop,MrsOliverstated:

"Hehadsomecertificate-andthiswasprobablytwoyearsdownthetrack,maybe18months. Hebroughtsomethingin,itwasuptherefor-Icouldn'teventellyouwhatitwas. Itwassomethingupthereforaveryshorttime,maybeaweekor---".

MrAnderson,atparagraph12ofhisaffidavit,said:

"AnitaOliveraskedmetobringinmychef'scertificatesandaccoladessothattheycouldbehungintheshoptogivethebusinesscredibility. SheknewIhadthequalificationsbecauseIhadgiventheOliversacopyofthemattheinitialinterview".

MrOliver,inevidence,didnotdisputethatMrAndersonhadacertificate,butindicatedthefirsttimehehadseenthecertificatewaswhen"IndustrialRelationsputitinfrontofme".

Further,inevidenceatpage163line30oftranscript,MrOliverwentontoacknowledgethathiswifehadbeenshownthecertificatesometimedownthetrackafteremploymentcommenced.

IfonewastoacceptthepositiononthefaceofboththeOlivers'evidencealone,itwouldbeclearthattherewasaphysicalawarenessofMrAnderson'squalificationsaftertheemploymentstartedandcertainlywithintheperiodsubjecttotheapplication.

Werethetradeskills(ifany)utilisedbytheemployeepursuanttotherelevantindustrialinstruments?

MrAndersondescribedhisdutiesatparagraphs13and14ofhisaffidavit:

"13.Myprincipaldutyduringmyemploymentwastomanage,organiseandpreparethechickenseachdayforsale,preparethestuffing,placethechickensonrodsandputthemintherotisserie. EachdayIwastopreparethevarioustypesofsalads,estimatingquantitiesneededwithdifferentvarietieseachday. Iinstructedandtrainedjuniorcooksintheartoforganization,preparationandcookingdifferentdishes,suchasthechickens,makingmornaysauceandsalads. Ialsocookedroastpork,lamb,beefandvegetablestoaccompanytheroasts.

14.Ialsopreparednewmenusforthechickensandsaladseachweekforthesaladbar. Iaddedmarinadestomaketandoorichicken,lemonandpepperchicken,sweetchillichickenandgarlicandhoneysoychicken. Thesedutiesrequiredachef'sskills,astheyrequireddifferentsaucesandaknowledgeoftheskillsrequiredinmakingthesesaucessuccessfullycomesfromtrainingandpractice.".

TheevidencefromMrsOliverconflictedwiththatbyMrAndersonwithherrecollectionthathisduties(describedatpage20,line20oftranscript)beingthatofotherstaff:

"...hecutupafewvegetables. Wehadafewsalads. Wedidrotisseriechickensotheystuffedthemandputthemonrods. Hedidnodifferenttoanybodyelsethatworkedthere.".

WhenquestionedbyMrPoweraboutchickens,roasts,saucesandgravies,MrsOliveracknowledgedthatMrAndersoncarriedouttasksrelatedtocookingbutthat"itallcameoutofabottle"(page20,line35oftranscript).

MrOliver,whenquestionedinthecross-examinationphaseofhisevidenceastothejobgiventoMsChristyKing(whowashiredatthesametimeasMrAnderson)repliedthatshehadthesamedutiesasMrAnderson"cooking,cleaning,preparingsalads,makinghamburgers"(page174,line20oftranscript).

TherewassufficientevidencebeforetheCommissiontoconcludethatcookingskillswereutilisedbyMrAndersonintheperformanceofdutiesassignedtohimwhilstintheemployoftherespondent.

Finding

Havingmadefindingsinrelationtoengagement,qualifications,awareness(bytheemployer)ofMrAnderson'squalificationsandutilisationoftradeskills,itisnecessaryforatranslationofsuchfindingsintoanappropriateclassification(containedwiththeprovisionsoftheRetailTake-AwayFoodAward-SouthEasternDistrictDivision(theAward))tothenarriveatanapplicablewageratefortheworkperformedbyMrAndersoninthecourseofhisemployment.

TheevidencebeforetheCommissionfromMrBurnswhoundertookaninvestigationthroughtheOfficeofWorkplaceServiceswasthatMrAnderson'sclassificationfittedunderthatofKitchenAttendantGrade2identifiedwithintheAward.

ThedefinitionofthatclassificationisshownintheAwardats.5.5.2(b):

"'KitchenAttendantGrade2'meansanemployeewhohastheAppropriateLevelofTraining,andwhoengagedinanyofthefollowing:

-specialisednon-cookingdutiesinakitchenorfoodpreparationarea;

-assistinginthesupervisionandtrainingofKitchenAttendants;and

-generalreceivalanddistributionofgoods.".

TheclassificationdeterminedbyMrBurnswasrelieduponquiteheavilybytherespondentinresistingtheapplication.

WithoutwishingtobetoocriticaloftheinvestigationundertakenbyMrBurns,onhisownevidenceheacknowledgedthathechosenottovisittheshoppremises,placedsignificantrelianceuponaphoneconversationwiththenewowner(forwhomMrAndersonhadneverworked)astowhatdutieswouldhavebeenundertakenbyMrAndersonandineffecthehadnotadequatelyinvestigatedthepositionadvancedbytheemployee.

SuchinvestigationwouldhavefoundthatMrAndersonheldcookingqualificationsandthatheundertookcookingdutieswhich,intheviewoftheCommission,enliveneds.5.2.2(f)oftheAwardasarguedbytheapplicant,theclassificationbeing:

"'Cook(Tradesperson)Grade3'shallmeananemployeewhohascompletedanapprenticeshiporwhohaspassedtheappropriatetradetest,andwhoisengagedinanyofthefollowing:

-cooking,baking,pastrycookingorbutcheringduties;and

-settingupofanonsitekitchen.".

Theapplicant'scasewassupportedbyevidencefromMrOliverontwooccasionsfirstlywiththeinterviewwithMsAhernandsecondlythestatementtotheQueenslandPoliceServiceacknowledgingthatMrAndersonhadaroleasa"cook/kitchenhand"whilstinhisemploy.

Havingconsideredtheevidence,materialandsubmissionsbeforetheproceedings,thereisnoquestionthatMrAnderson,inthecourseofhisduties,didnotundertakethefullgamutofwhatatradespersoncookmightdoinsomeformsofengagement,howeverIfindthatwithhisqualificationandthecookingdutiesperformedbyhimthathehasanentitlementtobepaidasaCook(Tradesperson)Grade3.

Accordingly,Iacceptthecaseprosecutedbytheapplicantthatanunderpaymenthasoccurredtotheextentof$5,107.08andorderthattherespondentpaytoMrAndersonthatamountwithin22daysofthereleaseofthisdecision.

TaxationistobedeductedinaccordancewithAustralianTaxationOfficerequirements.

Isoorder.

J.M.THOMPSON,Commissioner.
HearingDetails:
200815January
17March
Released: 28March2008 / Appearances:
MrJ.Power,ofDepartmentofEmploymentandIndustrialRelations,Applicant.
MrB.Oliver,ofSun,SeaSurfPtyLtd,Respondent.

Government Printer, Queensland

The State of Queensland 2008.