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<\/p>\nA class action has been filed in the Federal Court of Australia against retail giant Kmart, alleging “systemic” wage underpayment of its salaried store managers.<\/p>\n
The case centres around a claim the retailer failed to comply with the Fair Work Act and relevant industry awards over the past six years.<\/p>\n
Specifically, that Kmart managers were routinely required to work “well beyond” their rostered hours without receiving overtime rates, penalty rates, or prescribed allowances.<\/p>\n
According to the statement of claim, staff were pressured to perform “off-the-clock” work before and after shifts, work through meal breaks, and even handle administrative tasks from home.<\/p>\n
In some instances, managers reportedly worked up to 60 hours per week during peak periods without any additional compensation.<\/p>\n
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The lead applicant worked at three Brisbane locations as a store operations manager. (ABC News: Elizabeth Pickering)<\/p>\n
Lead applicant Jordana Williamson, a former full time Kmart store operations manager who worked at several Brisbane locations, alleges the company’s internal systems failed to accurately reconcile annual salaries with actual hours worked.<\/p>\n
The proceeding concerns only salaried store managers and not casual or part-time team members.<\/p>\n
The case comes amid increased scrutiny of how large retailers pay salaried managers under the retail award system.<\/p>\n