Sydney Bakery Owner Exploited Teen Worker with Disability, Ordered to Pay $345,000
A Sydney bakery owner has been condemned for the systematic exploitation of a teenage employee with an intellectual disability, forcing her to fund both business expenses and a family holiday. The case highlights a gross abuse of power and has resulted in over $345,000 in penalties and compensation.
A judge delivered a scathing rebuke to Nhu Anh Vu, owner of the Village Bakery in Balgowlah Heights, after discovering she manipulated a vulnerable young woman into handing over more than $18,000 of her own earnings. The Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia found Vu to be “manipulative,” “calculated,” and “exploitative” in her treatment of the employee.
Years of Unpaid Labor
Tayla Johnson, who has a mild intellectual disability and an IQ of 64, began working at the bakery at age 16 in June 2021. Instead of receiving wages for her work as a casual retail assistant, Ms. Johnson was compelled to cover the bakery’s operational costs. These included rent, meat bills, and supply expenses, accumulating a total of $18,080.60. The court heard she was also made to contribute financially to Vu’s personal overseas vacation with her family.
Ms. Johnson went nearly two years without being paid, continuing to work until April 2023. On one occasion, she received a mere $1,233 for 123 hours of work – equivalent to approximately $10 per hour, significantly below the legally mandated minimum wage. Following this single payment, she received no further compensation.
“A Gross Abuse of Power”
Judge Peter Papadopoulos, in a judgment delivered on December 22, characterized Vu’s actions as a “gross abuse of power.” He stated that the exploitation was “deliberate and calculated,” and directly linked to Ms. Johnson’s youth and intellectual disability. “To characterise the conduct relevant to the contraventions in this matter as being blameworthy or deplorable is, frankly, an understatement,” the judge added.
The court also noted Vu’s attempts to evade legal proceedings, finding she “actively evaded service, misrepresented her whereabouts, and refused to participate in the proceedings, thereby disregarding the Court’s authority.”
Personal Relationship and Living Arrangement
The court was informed that Vu had developed a personal relationship with Ms. Johnson, even inviting her to live at her home above the bakery for approximately eight months intermittently. This added another layer of complexity to the power imbalance at play.
Bakery’s Reputation Contrasts with Exploitation
The Village Bakery, a business that proudly promotes itself as a three-generation family enterprise, enjoys a positive reputation within the Balgowlah Heights community. Online reviews frequently praise its “family-friendly” atmosphere and “personal and professional service.” This public image stands in stark contrast to the exploitative practices uncovered by the court.
Ms. Johnson testified that the bakery failed to provide payslips, maintain employee records, or pay her wages and superannuation for nearly two years.
Significant Penalties and Compensation
The Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia ordered the bakery to pay Ms. Johnson over $345,000 in compensation. This includes $49,000 in outstanding wages, over $5,000 for unpaid superannuation, a substantial $235,000 in penalties for violating the Fair Work Act, and additional compensation. Vu was personally ordered to repay Ms. Johnson the $18,000 she was forced to contribute. The court mandated that all costs be settled by late January.
The Daily Mail has reached out to Vu and the Village Bakery for comment. This case serves as a stark reminder of the vulnerability of workers with disabilities and the importance of robust enforcement of labor laws.
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