A Sydney bakery owner has faced severe criticism from a judge after exploiting a teenage employee with an intellectual disability to fund her personal expenses, including an international family vacation.
Nhu Anh Vu, who runs the Village Bakery in Balgowlah on Sydney’s northern beaches, was described as ‘manipulative,’ ‘calculated,’ and ‘exploitative’ during court proceedings. The allegations centered around her treatment of a young staff member, who was coerced into handing over more than $18,000 of her own money to cover business and personal costs.
The employee, Tayla Johnson, who possesses a mild intellectual disability with an IQ of 64, began working at the bakery at the age of 16.
In a hearing at the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia, it was revealed that Ms. Johnson went unpaid for nearly two years. Despite regularly working as a casual retail assistant from June 2021 to April 2023, she received no wages.
Instead, the teenager was instructed to use her own funds to pay for the bakery’s rent, meat bills, and supply expenses, which collectively amounted to $18,080.60.
Furthermore, Ms. Johnson was obligated to pay for her employer’s overseas trip, which included travel for other family members as well.
In a blistering judgment handed down on December 22, Judge Peter Papadopoulos condemned Anh Vu’s conduct, as a gross abuse of power.
‘That offending was deliberate and calculated, and occurred in circumstances amounting to an abuse of power, having regard to the applicant’s youth and intellectual disability,’ he said.
‘To characterise the conduct relevant to the contraventions in this matter as being blameworthy or deplorable is, frankly, an understatement.’
Ms Johnson (not pictured) was unpaid for almost two years while working at the Village Bakery
The Village Bakery, which proudly describes itself as a family business, is popular in the ‘Heights’ community
Judge Papadopoulos also found Vu had ‘actively evaded service, misrepresented her whereabouts, and refused to participate in the proceedings, thereby disregarding the Court’s authority.’
The court was told Vu had also developed a personal relationship with Ms Johnson and had invited her to live with her at her home above the bakery.
It is understood they lived together intermittently for a total of approximately eight months.
The Village Bakery, which proudly describes itself as a family business spanning three generations, is popular in the ‘Heights’ community for its pies, pastries, and bánh mì.
In several online reviews, the bakery is lauded for its ‘family-friendly’ nature and ‘personal and professional service.’
Ms Johnson told the court the bakery had failed to pay her wages and superannuation for nearly two years, provide any payslips, or keep any employee records.
She was once paid just $1,233 for 123 hours of work, which works out to around $10 an hour – well below the minimum pay rate under the relevant award.
She then received no payment between 9 August 2021 and 24 April 2023.
The Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia heard Ms Johnson was ordered to foot the bill for the bakery’s business expenses and a holiday for her boss
The bakery has now been ordered to pay more than $345,000 in compensation for its treatment of Ms Johnson.
This includes nearly $49,000 in outstanding wages, more than $5,000 for the non-payment of superannuation, and a whopping $235,000 in penalties for serious contraventions of the Fair Work Act, plus compensation.
Vu was also ordered to repay Ms Johnson more than $18,000 in personal funds.
The court ordered that the costs must be paid by late January.
The Daily Mail has contacted Vu and the Village Bakery for comment.
