u/Motor_Eggplant_7056

My sister in law is dealing with some issues at work and I bet someone here might have some good advice.

She’s been working in a small restaurant for ten years - casual the entire time, had asked for a full time contract over the years but the boss is a complete flake and all round unreliable. They’re also quite friendly and have become close over the years. The casual/full time issue doesn’t bother her.

What does bother her is that she’s recently figured out she’s been underpaid nearly the entire time. In addition to her super being unpaid the last year.

She confronted the boss and things got awkward. In person he was very apologetic and said he’d backpay - in writing he clarified that he is only liable for the last six years and that due to the award rate - he owes her less.
She basically manages the place and works there six days a week, opens, closes, orders stock, manages other staff (also underpaid).

He owns her upwards of 30K minus the super.

The negotiating was getting lengthy with no resolve and he made her an offer of 20K, stipulating that she sign a gag order. Don’t know if that was exactly what was on the document but that’s what she has told me - the doc apparently stated that she wouldn’t pursue anything further.

He’s been making small incremental payments to backpay super.

With signing this confidentiality agreement/gag order - can she still report him to the ATO/fair work, and if she doesn’t can I, and have him be investigated?

Very awkward and complicated/nuanced situation but the gist of it is that my sister in law and a friend of mine absolutely hate each other. There’s good reason and I understand both sides.

I’m in a pickle because I’ve invited both of them to my bachelorette party - my SIL has not confirmed attendance and I’ve reached out to her privately and acknowledged that I understand if she’s uncomfortable with my friend there but that’d I’d love for her to attend. There’ll be 25 ladies total.

In hindsight I wish I hadn’t invited my friend to come out of respect for my SIL, and kept the event ‘small’ - but I was hasty and didn’t think it through enough at the time. I also hadn’t considered that these feelings between them were still so present (I explained this all to my SIL).

I don’t love the thought of uninviting my friend because I know she’ll be hurt by it but I’m really not sure what to do.

Has anyone been in a similar situation? How did you handle it?

Update: they’re both attending and will be civil to one another 😬

One of my fellow bridesmaids had just announced her pregnancy, we’re all very happy and excited for her, she’ll be 6 months pregnant at the wedding.
We all got together to discuss wedding stuff, and when she told us, the bride, instead of congratulating her, pulled the most ridiculous face and looked around the room for support. Since she didn’t get any sympathy from any of us, she hasn’t said anything outwardly inappropriate, but has made it clear priority to signal her annoyance at this fact.