Payroll review outcomes
The University of Newcastle has today advised staff of the outcome of its payroll review into casual staff payments.
The review, which was conducted with support from PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC), analysed 1.7million payslips from 25 February 2014 to 6 August 2020 and identified 7171 individuals who were affected.
“As soon as we became aware of problems, we acted and put in place an institution-wide review,” University of Newcastle Vice-Chancellor, Professor Alex Zelinsky said.
“Some staff were overpaid and some staff were underpaid,” he said.
Any current staff with a net underpayment will receive all money owing, plus interest, paid into their regular pay account tomorrow, 12 November.
“We will not seek repayments from anyone who has a net overpayment,” Professor Zelinsky said.
The errors related to the way casual staff and supervisors recorded or applied the overtime, span of hours, minimum engagement and meal allowance provisions of the relevant Enterprise Agreements.
“We have rolled out new training and procedures to make sure staff and supervisors understand the relevant entitlements and processes,” Professor Zelinsky said.
“I apologise for these errors and any concern they have caused. Making sure people are paid correctly is fundamental to our operations.”
“We have proactively addressed this situation and self-reported to the Fair Work Ombudsman. The FWO has also advised it will review our process to ensure we are meeting our obligations.”
Provision for the remediation costs – approximately $6.29 million – has been included in the University’s 2020 financial forecast. The amount represents around 0.24% of the total payroll costs for this period.
Later this month the University will also notify former staff members who are affected. Those affected will receive an email, as well as hard-copy correspondence to their last notified residential address.
For people seeking further information, the University has set up a Payroll Review contact centre from 9am-4pm weekdays on (02) 4921 5599, or via email: payroll.review@newcastle.edu.au
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The University of Newcastle acknowledges the traditional custodians of the lands within our footprint areas: Awabakal, Darkinjung, Biripai, Worimi, Wonnarua, and Eora Nations. We also pay respect to the wisdom of our Elders past and present.