A VICTORIAN video store is being investigated by the federal workplace watchdog over claims it offered to pay student workers with free DVDs instead of cash.
Carlton Video Dogs is accused of advertising for students to work two-hour evening shifts in return for free DVD rentals.
The Workplace Ombudsman said today it would seek employment records and examine wage records and pay slips.
It also urged any employees who had worked at the Melbourne store without being paid a wage to come forward.
Ombudsman spokesman Craig Bildstien said the watchdog was still waiting to hear from the owner, although a manager or owner of the business claimed to have come forward.
“Despite his claim that he has already spoken to our state manager, I am advised we have yet to speak to him,” Mr Bildstien said.
“If he does not contact us and continues to make himself unavailable, we will serve notice on him by whatever means possible – fax, post or at his home address.
“If he has employed anyone and paid them in kind with DVDs, then that will be a breach of the Workplace Relations Act.”
Mr Bildstien said breaches of workplace legislation carried a maximum penalty of $33,000.
An unidentified man who answered the phone at Carlton Video Dogs said the store initially had not seen anything wrong with the DVD offer.
“We thought it was OK to pay them with DVDs but withdrew the advert after being contacted by the union,” the man said.
“We’ve spoken to the union and everything is OK. This is all over the media, you can read all about it in the media. This is harassment.”
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