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This is the largest fine ever handed to an employer for wage theft in Australia. It sends a strong message to employers that if you rip workers off, you’ll pay.

We’ve been telling the Bank for years they were engaging in dodgy practices. To read more about the details, click here for everything you need to know.

It’s shameful that CBA knowingly continued this behaviour for years. Alarmingly, CBA admitted to the court that senior HR representatives knew what was going on but did nothing to fix it. They’re now repaying $16M to the workers they ripped off. 

As big as the fine may be, it is still only a fraction of CBA’s $5B half yearly profit: far from a genuine deterrent. That’s why it’s so important we now have new laws making wage theft a criminal offence.

CBA’s ripoff took place before these laws passed. Those responsible have escaped criminal prosecution this time – but the Bank can still take swift action, so we’ve written to CEO Matt Comyn asking him to explain what the bank is going to do to ensure this never happens again. Those that knew this was happening need to be held accountable. 

After all, who steals $16m and gets away with it? 

We aren’t expecting a transparent response from CBA. But we would at least expect them to clarify this statement from the Federal Court judgment: “The responsible HR managers had disregarded or been indifferent to the risk that the individual arrangements were not meeting the employees’ entitlements…”

It is clear that workers cannot trust their employer to always do the right thing for them. It’s only by being part of the FSU that employees are united, standing together, and promoting the best interest of workers at CBA. If you are not a member, you need to join today.