A 62-year-old cleaner was back-paid more than $28,000 after his workplace underpaid loadings and penalty rates between May 2007 and July 2011.

The Fair Work Ombudsman also recovered $12,300 for a 45-year-old workshop supervisor after inspectors found he wasn’t paid overtime between October and December 2010, or paid termination pay when his employment ceased.

Just last week the Federal Magistrates Court fined a Bendigo fast food restaurant $46,200 for underpaying staff almost $105,000 after the Fair Work Ombudsman investigated the company.

Fair Work Ombudsman Nicholas Wilson said there were a range of resources available to ensure employers and employees understood their workplace rights and obligations.

“Our website – www.fairwork.gov.au – has a number of tools and resources, including paycheck plus and an award finder, to assist business-owners to calculate the correct pay for their employees,” he said.

“Paycheck plus calculates minimum rates of pay per hour, per shift or per week and takes account of payments for overtime, penalty rates and allowances.

“An average 23,000 visitors a month accessed the Fair Work Ombudsman’s online pay rates calculator last financial year.

“Small to medium-sized businesses without human resources staff can also ensure they are better equipped when hiring, managing and dismissing employees by using free template employment documentation available online,” Mr Wilson said.

Nationally, the agency recouped $26.7 million for 17,360 employees.

Any employers or employees unsure of their workplace responsibilities or entitlements should contact the Fair Work Infoline on 13 13 94.