A Dalley Holdings, operator of Geelong’s Bellarine Court aged care centre, was fined $27,720 and manager and part-owner Andrew Dalley, of Anglesea, $3168.

Aged care worker Carolyn Jelcic was awarded $5000 compensation.

The case came about when Ms Jelcic returned from maternity leave but was initially offered no hours, then just "sleepover shifts". She was then told that if she chose not to take the shifts, it would be considered as resignation.

Prior to maternity leave, Ms Jelcic worked six afternoon shifts and one sleepover shift a fortnight.

The Fair Work Ombudsman, which took Federal Court action against operator A Dalley Holdings Pty Ltd, said the discrimination on the grounds of pregnancy and family and carer responsibilities breached the Fair Work Act.

"The contraventions in this case were reckless rather than deliberate," said Fair Work Ombudsman group manager Michael Campbell (pictured). "The court's decision sends a message that this sort of conduct is a serious breach of workplace laws and will not be tolerated."