Director fined for employee mistreatment

A Launceston businesswoman has been fined almost $100,000 by the workplace watchdog for her "heartless" treatment of workers, including unlawful dismissal.

The Fair Work Ombudsman found former director of the now-liquidated Mowbray Mill, Wendy Langridge, stood down six workers in 2013, failed to pay them entitlements, and failed to pay a further seven employees, with each owed up to $22,000.

"She knew the company could not afford to pay its debts ... (and) in a fashion that could at the lowest be described as thoughtless but at the highest be described as heartless, effectively took advantage of the employees," Judge Phillip Burchardt said in the Federal Circuit Court, handing down a penalty of $98,000.