Fair Work Ombudsman review leads Quayclean to adopt new business model

An on-site audit investigation by the Fair Work Ombudsman into employment and payment structures of two sub-contracting companies used by Quayclean at Marvel Stadium in 2017 has been the catalyst to completely overhaul the company’s operational and business model.

Quayclean Australia has advised that immediately following the Fair Work Ombudsman  (FWO) on-site inspection, it undertook its own full review into existing customer relationships and operations, including where work may have been completed through sub-contracted companies.

Quayclean Chief Executive, Mark Piwkowski said as a result of this review, Quayclean overhauled its operational and business model to adopt a fully employed model under the Modern Award to eradicate the risk of non-compliance by sub-contractors.

Piwkowski advised “there is no allegation that Quayclean has ever underpaid its employees (and) we regret that sub-contracting staff were allegedly underpaid by sub-contractors and we are pleased payments have been fully rectified.”

Piwkowski said the fully employed labour model was implemented at Marvel Stadium within 10 days of the FWO inspection in 2017 and has since been included in all new and renewed contracts.

He added “Quayclean uses a fully employed labour model and now has over 1500 staff across the country. Speciality contractors, if used, are for high window cleaning or specialty cleaning where local staff are not available.

“Our change to a fully employed model has been fully supported by our customers and we are very grateful for their ongoing support.

“Our approach has been to work with market sectors and customers to help them understand and respect the value of site presentation and cleaning, whilst developing systems, technologies and resources that optimise labour in the most efficient manner.

“We will continue to educate procurement managers of the true cost of cleaning and presentation services. The work that we provide cannot be allowed to be undervalued because of a strong desire for cheap pricing.”

Piwkowski concluded that Quayclean Australia acknowledges and accepts the role of the FWO and has fully complied with all questions and requests.

Image: Quaycean staff at Melbourne's Marvel Stadium.