‘Blatant dishonesty’: Saucy side business lands worker in hot water

A supermarket employee has been hit with a restitution order, a community corrections order, and community service for operating a side business while claiming injury compensation.

Melbourne Magistrate’s Court handed down the sentence on 29 April after Gary Janson pleaded guilty to fraudulently obtaining payments.

According to WorkSafe Victoria, Janson lodged a claim for compensation payments after allegedly sustaining an injury at work, claiming he did not have the capacity for the required manual labour.

He began receiving payments in June 2014.

However, the investigation uncovered that Janson started a chilli sauce business in October 2021, from which he earned money selling products online and at markets across the country. During this time, he did not disclose the business, submitting certificates confirming he was not working nor had the capacity to.

Despite surveillance footage showing Janson manually preparing stalls and carrying heavy boxes, company records confirming him as the registered sole director, secretary, and shareholder, and his listing as owner on the business’s website, Janson claimed he could not lift his arms, and when notified of his termination, maintained the business was owned by his son.

At the time of his termination in October 2023, he received a total of $117,121.41 in injury compensation.

Acting WorkSafe executive director of integrity, risk and resilience, Jane Barker, highlighted the numerous opportunities for Jason to declare his employment.

“It’s disappointing to see the blatant dishonesty shown by this worker over multiple years,” she said.

“Exploting a system that supported you when you were unable to earn an income is not only selfish – it’s a criminal offence that will be met with serious consequences.”

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