The Fair Work Ombudsman says cafe brand Degani needs to make a “greater investment” in ensuring workplace laws are followed after a review of stores resulted in 13 infringement and compliance notices.

The watchdog audited 16 stores across the cafe network after receiving “a high number of requests” from the community. It found issues including underpayments and record-keeping breaches at 15 of these stores, with only one outlet found to be following the rules.

The Fair Work Ombudsman has issued a comprehensive review of Degani Bakery Cafe. Credit:Gary Medlicott

The investigation has resulted in more than $44,000 of staff underpayments being recovered, as well as the issuing of 10 formal cautions, eight compliance notices and five infringement notices being issued to outlets.

Degani Bakery Cafe was founded in 1999 in the Melbourne suburb of Clifton Hill and has since grown to a network of close to 60 stores.