Thousands of past and present employees of Grill’d have filed class action proceedings, alleging that the burger chain failed to provide employees with the rest breaks that they were entitled to.
Editor’s note: This story first appeared on Lawyers Weekly’s sister brand, HR Leader.
Victoria-based law firm Gordon Legal has launched proceedings in the Federal Court of Australia, on behalf of more than 15,000 past and present employees of burger chain Grill’d, alleging that the burger chain did not provide workers with rest breaks that they were entitled to under applicable enterprise bargaining agreements.
The proceedings are being supported by the union for fast-food workers, the Shop, Distributive and Allied Employees Association (SDA).
The firm and union believe that, if the claim succeeds, thousands of past and present employees may be eligible to claim compensation.
HR Leader has reached out to Grill’d for a statement.
Gordon Legal partner Andrew Grech said: “Hundreds of young workers have already come forward reporting that they were refused rest breaks or denied the opportunity to take them.”
“Gordon Legal is proud to be working with the SDA to provide some long-overdue justice for Grill’d employees.”
The class action’s representative applicant, Mia Troy, said: “I was physically exhausted and burnt out after working at Grill’d for over two years without a single rest break. No one should feel scared to ask for something as basic as a moment to rest.
“Bringing this action is my way of saying that our wellbeing matters, and that young workers deserve to be treated with dignity, not as if we’re replaceable,
“I want future Grill’d employees to get what they are entitled to.”
SDA South Australian branch secretary Josh Peak said: “This is yet another case of young workers in fast food being systematically exploited and denied basic entitlements. Paid rest breaks are a right set out in the agreements negotiated by Grill’d and underpinned by the Fast Food Award.”
“Grill’d cannot pick and choose which entitlements workers receive – and now thousands of workers are standing with the SDA to set things right.
“It takes a lot of courage to stand up against your employer. We’re committed to ensuring Grill’d workers receive their paid rest breaks and are compensated appropriately for any denied breaks.”
The proceedings are open to those who worked at Grill’d between December 2019 and December 2025.
In a statement provided to HR Leader, Grill'd founder and managing director said: "We are aware of the class action that has been filed against Grill’d, joining some major QSR players also facing similar actions."
"Grill’d takes its obligations to our team very seriously, they are our greatest asset and we are committed to providing a positive, fair and supportive workplace. With our recently approved Enterprise Agreement, Grill’d is now among the highest-paying employers in the industry, reflecting our ongoing focus on recognising and rewarding our people," he said.
Jerome Doraisamy is the managing editor of professional services (including Lawyers Weekly, HR Leader, Accountants Daily, and Accounting Times). He is also the author of The Wellness Doctrines book series, an admitted solicitor in New South Wales, and a board director of the Minds Count Foundation.
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