Clothing chain Cotton On Group and jeweller Lovisa are the latest targets of potential underpayments class actions for allegedly failing to pay employees for extra hours worked.
If evidence were needed that courts are not rubber stamping class action settlements, the scrutiny of multi-million dollar agreements in 2021 is proof positive that judicial oversight of representative proceedings is robust.
Saying it will only benefit the law firm and lead applicants, a judge has refused to approve a settlement in an underpayments class action against supermarket giant Woolworths, which would see no payout to employees.
Unilodge Australia faces a potential class action alleging the student housing agency shortchanged staff by paying them under the wrong award.
Romeo’s will pay $1.55 million to registered group members as part of a settlement of two class actions alleging the supermarket chain underpaid staff.
Two law firms are seeking court approval to drop class actions brought on behalf of allegedly misclassified casual coal miners, in light of a High Court decision that “radically” decreased their chances of success.
Hospitality giant Merivale has streamlined its defence of a $129 million underpayment class action, arguing that it shouldn’t be expected to back pay employees because it operated its business under the mistaken belief that its enterprise agreement governing staff at 70 of its venues was valid.
Supermarket chain Romeo’s has reached a settlement in two class actions alleging staff were underpaid, but details of the agreements are scant.
A law firm that has filed seven class actions on behalf of casual coal mine workers is looking to discontinue two of those cases, after the High Court dealt them a serious blow by finding that those who work regular shifts are not entitled to paid leave and other entitlements under the Fair Work Act.
Woolworths has agreed to pay $1.75 million in Adero Law’s legal costs as part of a settlement of an underpayments class action which will see group members recoup any amounts they are owed in a separate proceeding brought by the Fair Work Ombudsman rather than the class action.