worked in a week. Employees were then paid on the basis of these records, resulting in them effectively being paid half the legally-required rate. It was also reported that workers were often not paid loadings and penalty rates that they are legally entitled to, for working overtime hours, nights, weekends, and public holidays. After these reports came to light and received widespread attention, some employees had alleged to Fairfax Media that they had begun to be paid correctly through the 7-Eleven payroll system; however, they were then asked by the franchisee to pay back half their wages in cash. 7-Eleven subsequently announced they would fund an inquiry to investigate instances of wage fraud. The inquiry was conducted by an independent panel chaired by former Australian Competition & Consumer Commission chairman Allan Fels, and with the support of professional services firm Deloitte. The inquiry invited submissions from current and former 7-Eleven employees who allege they have been underpaid, and assess each individual claim. In September 2015, chairman Russ Withers and chief executive Warren Wilmot announced they were resigning from the company. Deputy chairman Michael Smith replaced Withers, while Bob Baily was appointed as interim chief executive. The Four Corners investigation into 7-Eleven won a Walkley Award in 2015. In December 2015, Stewart Levitt of law firm Levitt Robinson Solicitors, who featured prominently in the Four Corners program and the Dr Brendan French defamation case, announced a potential class action lawsuit against 7-Eleven head office on behalf of franchisees who had allegedly been lured into signing on with 7-Eleven by false representations. This action was mired itself in controversy after Levitt Robinson was forced to retract misleading statements in advertising to the franchisees. See also List of convenience stores List of companies in Dallas References External links Historic Documentation Seven & I Holdings Charoen Pokphand American subsidiaries of foreign companies Convenience stores of the United States Fast-food chains of the United States Gas stations in the United States Multinational companies headquartered in the United States Companies based in Irving, Texas American companies established in 1927 Retail companies established in 1927 Companies that filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in 1931 Companies that filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in 1990 1927 establishments in California Convenience stores of Japan Convenience stores of the Philippines Convenience stores of Singapore DFI Retail Group Private equity portfolio companies 2005 mergers and acquisitions