First published on Friday, July 24, 2026
Last updated on Friday, July 24, 2026
After a guilty plea, the defendant was fined £1,000 and ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £400 and court costs of £85. The court also imposed a 12-month Labour Market Enforcement Order (LMEO), requiring him to address his non-compliance. Failure to comply with the order could result in further enforcement action and penalties.
Alan Price, CEO at BrightHR said: “The Fair Work Agency is sending a clear message to all employers. Although this case focused on gangmasters, the Fair Work Agency will be looking at any employer for breaches of employment rights including SSP, minimum wage, incomplete contracts or documentation, payslips, and much more. Employers should act now to make sure their policies, documents, and procedures hold up.”
Gemma O’Connor, Head of HR Advisory and Technical Services at BrightHR, said: “The Fair Work Agency has the power to undertake inspections and take direct enforcement action. So, they can visit even without a compliant or grievance against your business.”
The Fair Work Agency was established under the Employment Rights Act 2025, to create a single state enforcement body of various areas of employment law including national minimum wage, conduct of employment agencies, and non-payment of Employment Tribunal awards. The Fair Work Agency will also be able to advise employees on their rights, assist them through a tribunal case and bring claims against employers on behalf of employees. You can read more about the Fair Work agency in the BrightHR blog here.
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Download the BrightHR checklist to ensure your business has the policies and procedures in place to pass an inspection from the Fair Work Agency.
