News
29 October, 2024
United investigates alleged cash pays
United Petroleum has launched an investigation into the independent company responsible for operating the United Kilcoy Service Station.
United told The Sentinel it was investigating Ring Pty Ltd after several former staff came forward with concerns over workplace practices, including being paid cash in hand.
United Petroleum CEO, David Szymczak, said he was “surprised” at the allegations.
“The United Kilcoy Service Station is operated by Ring Pty Ltd, which is an independent company not related to United Petroleum,” he said.
“Ring Pty Ltd employ staff to operate the service station, and United Petroleum are not involved in that relationship.
“Any deliberate improper wage payments or illegal practices is a breach of our Agreement with Ring Pty Ltd, which will lead to termination of that Agreement, and all our operators know this fact.”
According to Mr. Szymczak, United Petroleum has never received complaints from current or former staff at Kilcoy, emphasizing an investigation would have immediately taken place had they known there were any issues.
Former staff reached out to The Sentinel, after the newspaper reported on a young worker who had allegedly been fired after going to the aid of a man seriously injured after his motorbike toppled onto him at the service station.
One former employee who reached out, Tanisha, told The Sentinel she sent United an email after she stopped working there in May 2023, explaining various problems she allegedly witnessed.
“I think the investigation is warranted and a good thing it’s finally happening, but I think something could have been done about it sooner,” she said.
“We tried to reach out at the time but we didn’t get very far, and I appreciate having something happen now.”
According to Tanisha, herself, her mother, Sharon, and another co-worker were all paid cash-in-hand.
Seth Evans, who came to the rescue of the elderly man, said he was being paid cash during his employment, which was allegedly terminated after he left the store to assist the injured customer.
It is understood they took their concerns to the Australian Tax Office.
Seth’s father, Mitch Evans, said he emailed United head office to complain about conduct issues, including delayed pay and Seth’s alleged dismissal, but said they never received a response.
“This (investigation) is great news,” Mr. Evans said.
“We will be sending them everything we have and be letting other former staff that have reached out to us over the past weeks, sharing their experiences, know to do the same.”
Seth’s employer, Amir, who did not give his surname, told The Sentinel earlier this month that the cash payments were the Evans family’s choice.
Mr. Amir added Mr. Evans had received all his entitlements.
The Sentinel reached out to Mr. Amir twice for comment about the investigation and allegations by other employees but didn’t receive a response.
Mr. Szymczak said United Petroleum will ensure that if there are staff owed money, action will be taken to rectify the situation.
