New South Wales Railcorp Employee Collects Work Comp While Working Second Job

A Railcorp employee has been found guilty of workers compensation fraud, was ordered to repay $32,540, and was fined $10,800 after a New South Wales (Australia) WorkCover investigation found he had an undeclared second job while receiving benefits for being too injured to carry out his first job.

 

 

According to a report from NSW WorkCover Authority, Varinder Sandhu, a 35-year-old train driver from South Wentworthville, allegedly injured his lower back when shunting train carriages.(WCxKit)

 

 

RailCorp accepted liability for the injury and Sandhu received weekly compensation totaling $32,540 while allegedly unfit for work for a period of six months.

 

During this time it became clear the man had a second job as a migration agent and was in fact advertising his services in the media.

 

At no time did Sandhu inform RailCorp that he was working as a registered migration agent or inform them he had a second job.

 

 

The court ordered the man to repay the $32,540 he had fraudulently received in compensation, fined him $10,800 and also ordered him to pay WorkCover’s legal costs. RailCorp has since terminated the man’s employment.

 

 

WorkCover’s acting general manager of the workers compensation division, Mary Hawkins, said workers comp fraud was a serious offence and Sandhu had clearly breached the law and lied to his employer on numerous occasions.

 

 

“WorkCover and the Workers Compensation System, helps injured workers usually at times of great need,” Hawkins said.(WCxKit)

 

 

“It is unconscionable that someone would attempt to so blatantly bring the workers compensation system into disrepute. Employers pay their premiums to ensure workers injured during the course of their employment receive the right level of care and income support while unable to work. It is essential that all participate in the system act honestly so that the scheme remains affordable and workers are cared for appropriately,” she said.